New Delhi: Newly appointed Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana takes charge at Delhi Police Headquarters
Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Friday spoke to India TV regarding removal of barricades from several protest sites in the national capital, including the Tikri and Ghazipur borders. The eviction took place on Thursday night, with sources indicating that a carriageway of the road would open in the coming days.
Talking about the move, Asthana said that the plans were going on for a long time. “We had earlier held talks with the leaders of the Kisan Sangh, and also in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministry of Home Affairs) regarding removal of barricades from the protest sites. Apart from this, talks were also held with the UP and Haryana government officials” , Asthana said.
Asthana said the decision was implemented taking cognizance of traffic disruptions at various protest sites. “As a pilot of this move, barricades have been removed at Tikri and Ghazipur borders. Now that a part of the carriageway is open, traffic disruption can be reduced”.
Asthana also said that the move is intended to represent a positive step. Meanwhile, some farmers have also said that removing the barricades clears their way inside the city. Addressing this, Asthana said that the law and order situation in the city would be dealt with accordingly. “It is our primary task to ensure that the law and order situation in Delhi does not deteriorate,” he said.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait was earlier heard saying that the tents would not be removed from the protest sites on the borders of Delhi. Addressing this, Asthana said, “These tents are built outside the national capital in Uttar Pradesh. Hence, it is up to the UP Police to ensure that law and order is maintained at these sites.”
Since the barricades were removed, several farmers’ unions have alleged that the Delhi Police’s move was only aimed at protesting before the Supreme Court. Asthana refuted such claims and said, “Plans for this move were going on for a long time. The Delhi Police took the decision after several meetings.”
Speaking about the possibility of a possible conflict with the agriculture union leader Rakesh Tikait, Asthana said, “We will face any conflict, and the situation will be dealt with accordingly”.
Four of the eight layers of barricades along the Tikri border have been removed. However, the cement barricades are still in place and the road is closed for commuters, an official said.
In a video going viral on social media, JCB machines were seen lifting the blockade at Tikri border. Sources in Delhi Police said such an exercise is likely to begin at Singhu and Ghazipur border points in the coming days.
Thousands of farmers have been camping at three border points- Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur since November 26, 2020, protesting the three agriculture laws of the Centre.
Read also: Delhi Police removes barricades, sets up farmers’ tents at Ghazipur picket site
Read also: Barricades being removed in Ghazipur, Tikri; Rakesh Tikait said, ‘Farmers will go to Parliament’
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