Published On : Tue, Oct 2nd, 2018

Farmers’ march turns violent in Delhi; cops use water cannons, tear gas

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New Delhi: Violence has broken out as farmers marching towards Delhi. The police are using water cannons and tear gas to push back the protesting farmers.

Thousands of farmers are marching towards Delhi over demands ranging from farm loan waiver to cut in fuel prices, blocking traffic movement on arterial roads leading to the national capital.

National Highways leading to the national capital were swamped with farmers who came in from places as far as Gonda, Basti and Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh as well as the sugarcane belt of western Uttar Pradesh.

Police picketed the border with Uttar Pradesh, imposing prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people and holding of any public meeting, usage of any amplifier, loudspeaker, and similar instruments.

The Kisan Kranti Yatra, which began from Tikait Ghat in Haridwar on September 23, was joined by farmers from various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

“We are not seeking any alms from the government. We want our right,” said Harmik Singh, a farmer who came from Meerut.

Their list of demands include unconditional loan waiver for farmers, clearing of dues by sugar mills, higher prices for crops, free electricity for farms and a cut in diesel prices.