Farm laws: Protests continue at Ghazipur border, day after orders to vacate site
The key border point remained closed for traffic.
Farmers continued their protest at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at Ghazipur on Friday, a day after the administration gave them an ultimatum to clear the site. Support for the agitation grew after Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait tearfully declared that he will not end the protest.
Heavy security was deployed at the Singhu and Tikri borders in view of the tractor rally violence. Ghazipur border also remained closed for traffic. Meanwhile, another farmers’ group, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti), ended its protest against the farming laws.
The Delhi Police have named several farmer leaders in a first information report related to the tractor rally violence. The police alleged that they made inflammatory speeches. Farmers, however, have denied the allegations, and blamed “antisocial elements” for the chaos. Twenty-five criminal cases were filed in connection with the violence, and 19 persons have been arrested so far.
Live updates
10.37 am: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh says the violence during the Republic Day tractor rally is an insult to the country, The Indian Express reports.
He speaks about the Red Fort incident. “That the symbol of Independent India should be damaged and sullied in this manner is not something any proud Indian can sanctify,” he says. “It is a disrespect also to our revered Nishan Sahib, which was used by some goons (they could not have been farmers) to undermine a peaceful protest.”
10.28 am: Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary visits the Ghazipur border, ANI reports. He urges the Centre to discuss the farmers’ protests in the Parliament.
There must be some pressure on admn but farmers don't want to vacate the spot. Issue must be raised in Parliament. If Govt goes on backfoot, it won't show they're weak, it'll take forward their leadership. PM must speak on this. He needs to gain their trust: Jayant Chaudhary, RLD https://t.co/FrBEkyiVlZ pic.twitter.com/BkXigiq7bo
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 29, 2021
10.25 am: Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait urges the protestors to remain peaceful, ANI reports. “We will not vacate the spot [Ghazipur border],” he says. “We will talk to the Government of India about our issues.”
Meanwhile, a huge crowd gathers at the protest site.
A huge crowd of people gathered at Ghazipur border where the farmers' protest against the three #FarmLaws is going on. RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary has arrived at the site to meet BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait and other farmers. pic.twitter.com/JY21hN232d
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 29, 2021
9.28 am: Extra security forces have been withdrawn from the Ghazipur protest site, PTI reports.
9.27 am: Policemen are seen at the Singhu border
Police presence continues at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as the farmers' agitation against the three farm laws continues. Latest visuals from the spot. pic.twitter.com/404XtyWnZS
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2021
8.53 am: The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) ends its protest against the farming laws, News18 reports.
8.51 am: The Ghazipur, Singhu, Auchandi and Mangesh borders remain closed for traffic, the Delhi traffic police say.
8.49 am: Heavy security is seen at the Tikri border, another prominent protest site.
Delhi: Heavy security deployment continues at Tikri Border where farmers are protesting against #FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/6gRDMxU9OL
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2021
8.33 am: The farmers continue their protest at the Ghazipur border, ANI reports.
Farmers at Ghazipur border (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) continue sit-in protest against the Centre's #FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/0W8Kz8i1OH
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2021
8.28 am: Here are the top updates from Thursday: