Police used tear gas on groups of protesters when they tried to break barricades and cemented barriers at Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk as tens of thousands of farmers began a tractor procession through New Delhi’s outskirts on Tuesday in protest against three agricultural laws passed in September. Here is what we know so far:
• The action came shortly after protesters breached police barricades at farmer protest sites of Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur on Tuesday to force their entry into New Delhi.
• The procession began ahead of the time granted for it.
• Tractors festooned with Indian flags and farm unions from neighbouring states drove into the national capital for the procession coinciding with Republic Day celebrations.
• Men and women danced on beats of dhols as people lined roads and showered petals on the protesters.
• Police tried to convince farmers to stick to the decided plan of holding the tractor parade after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade.
• A large number of farmers also marched on foot holding flags of different farmer unions and raising slogans.
• Some of them were seen riding motorcycles and horses.
{{/usCountry}}• Some of them were seen riding motorcycles and horses.
{{/usCountry}}• As per an agreement, the farmers were supposed to start their parade at the time specified by police.
• But they forcefully entered Delhi and sat at Mukarba Chowk.
• They were supposed to head towards Bawana side as per the plan, but they are adamant that they want to go towards Outer Ring Road.
• Police were trying to convince the protesters to go towards the designated route at the specified time.
• Hundreds of policemen, including some with assault rifles, tear gas, and a water cannon, stood guard along the procession route as trucks were used to barricade the main route to Singhu.
• Police on Sunday allowed farmers to rally along approved routes on the outskirts of Delhi.