Noida-Delhi side at Chilla border closed again for half an hour amid continued protests

Noida: The Noida-Delhi carriageway at Chilla border, which had reopened on Sunday after being closed for 12 days amid the ongoing farmers’ protest, was closed again

Noida: The Noida-Delhi carriageway at Chilla border, which had reopened on Sunday after being closed for 12 days amid the ongoing farmers’ protest, was closed again on Tuesday for around 30 minutes due to increased agitation.

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A delegation of farmers on its way to Delhi was stopped at the border leading to confusion, because of which the area had to be barricaded again, the police said.

“It was a different unit who had been invited to Delhi for talks regarding the new farm bills. They were stopped by the Delhi police after which volunteers from our faction lent them support. Police again closed the border, but the situation was soon resolved and we went back to our peaceful protest,” said Yogesh Pratap Singh, UP unit president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu).

Pratap, along with several supporters, is on an indefinite hunger strike at the Chilla border where they are camped at the central verge of the road.

During the closure around 3pm, traffic was affected for some time. However, Delhi and Noida police later shared updates with public via Twitter when the traffic movement returned to normal.

“The barricading was done by Delhi police hardly for a few minutes. When a delegation on its way to Delhi reached the border, some of the farmers already at the border tried to go with them, and the barricading was done to stop them. But it was opened soon and there wasn’t any major traffic snarl,” said Kumar Ranvijay Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police, zone 1.

Pratap further alleged that police were not letting their volunteers and other farmers reach him.

Noida police officials said that some volunteers and members of political parties were being warned from unlawful gathering due to section 144 and Covid regulations, but there were no detentions in the district.

Meanwhile, a group of 60-70 supporters of the Lok Shakti faction of BKU have continued their hunger strike at the Dalit Prerna Sthal. “It is an indefinite protest. After 26th, we are expecting more of our brothers to join us. We are ready to brave the weather and all other struggles for as long as necessary. We are not going to back down unless our demands are met,” said Dr SK Giri, spokesperson, BKU (Lok Shakti).