Farmers Protest: Ghaziabad Schools, Colleges Shut Today, Rapid Action Force Deployed at UP-Delhi Border
Authorities decided to shut all schools and colleges in Ghaziabad as a precautionary measure following violent clashes between farmers and the Delhi police at Delhi- Uttar Pradesh border.
New Delhi, October 3: All educational institutes will remain closed in Ghaziabad today following violent clashes between farmers and the Delhi police at Delhi- Uttar Pradesh border in Ghaziabad. Authorities decided to shut all schools and colleges in Ghaziabad as a precautionary measure. Farmers were marching towards Kisan Ghat in the national capital were stopped at the Delhi border by the police.
Amid tension, the Rapid Action Force has been deployed at Delhi- Uttar Pradesh border where thousands of farmers have gathered with their tractors and trolleys. Earlier today, the Delhi Police stopped farmers from entering the national capital and lathi-charged and tear-gassed after water canons failed to subdue them. Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more persons have been clamped in several areas.
The farmers, thousands in number, began their agitation on September 23 at Haridwar in Uttarakhand and were moving towards Delhi, many of them on foot, scores sitting atop tractors, buses and raising slogans. Hours after the violence, representatives of the BKU, which called the protests, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, who was present in the talks, told the media later that consensus has been reached between the government and the protestors on many of the demands. How to go ahead on fulfilling these demands was also discussed, he said. However, BKU General Secretary Yudhvir Singh said the agitation will continue.
"The government is silent on our demand for loan waiver. Also, it said that fixation of Minimum Support Price based on 'C2' input factor as per the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations will be done only in future," Singh added. The protest led to a political slug-fest, with the opposition slamming the Modi government for the crackdown on the farmers and the BJP calling the agitation "politically motivated".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2018 12:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).