Farmers Withdraw from Prerna Sthal After Disrupting Delhi-Noida Traffic

Noida, Dec 2 (NationPress) Agitating farmers effectively held Noida and Greater Noida to a standstill on Monday, causing significant delays in Delhi-Noida traffic for several hours before retreating in the late afternoon on an assurance from the authorities.

The suspension of the protest allowed for the removal of barricades and the restoration of normal traffic flow.

Law enforcement officials dismantled barricades from the Noida-Greater Noida expressways and other routes along the Delhi border late Monday afternoon, facilitating smooth traffic after farmers postponed their march to the National Capital for a week.

The farmers decided to retreat in the late afternoon after receiving assurances from the authorities that their concerns would be addressed promptly.

This development provided relief for motorists just before the evening rush hour and tested the negotiation skills of the authorities, who successfully persuaded representatives from the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and other supporting farmer organizations to allow them a week to consider their demands.

Hundreds of farmers had assembled for a "Dilli Chalo" march to demand guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) and to voice other concerns. They agreed to withdraw, for the time being, following discussions with officials from Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).

While granting the officials a week's time to respond to their demands, the protesting farmers opted to camp at the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida.

The farmers asserted that they would march towards Delhi if their demands were not met within the week.

Earlier, protestors began arriving at the Maha Maya flyover in Noida, the designated assembly point for the 'Dilli Chalo' march, in the morning.

Around noon, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and supporters from various groups broke through barricades and attempted to advance towards New Delhi.

In addition to restricting heavy vehicle movement on the Yamuna Expressway and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Noida Police issued a traffic advisory in anticipation of the protest.

However, many commuters were caught off guard by the restrictions and diversions, leading to lengthy traffic jams near the DND flyway, Kalindi Kunj, and Chilla border points.

The protesting farmers are demanding benefits under the new agricultural laws, improved land compensation, better pricing for agricultural produce, pensions, and debt waivers.

Previously, law enforcement had set up cargo containers on roads to obstruct the protesting farmers' path. However, some demonstrators, wearing red and green caps and holding flags from the communist farm organization All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), managed to scale the containers and chant slogans.

Delhi Police officials and officers were also present in large numbers within the city, firmly maintaining barricades and barriers erected on roads to prevent farmers' entry into the national capital. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force also joined Delhi Police in maintaining vigilance.

As the protest march gradually moved towards Delhi, the Supreme Court, in a case concerning farmers protesting in Punjab, cautioned demonstrators against obstructing highways and exacerbating traffic disruption at the Khanauri border in the Sangrur district.

The apex court reminded the protesting farmers that public inconvenience could not be tolerated, even if they have the right to peaceful protest.