Massive traffic jams have started on Delhi-Noida borders as security personnel search vehicles in view of a protest call by farmers in Noida and Greater Noida. Besides cops, personnel from Rapid Action Force have also been called in to keep the situation under control. Riot control vehicles are on the spot and drones are being used to get an all-round view. 

Three years after their historic protest on Delhi’s borders, farmers are gearing up for another round of agitation in the national capital over a host of issues. Police in neighbouring Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have made arrangements to block separate groups of protesting farmers. Cement barriers, sandbags and barbed wires are in place and prohibitory orders imposed to ensure farmers can’t enter Delhi.

Two separate protests are on the cards. One of them starts today and comprises farmers from Noida and Greater Noida. These farmers are protesting for months in demand of higher compensation and developed plots against their land acquired by the local development authorities. They have decided to march to Parliament today to press their demands.

Noida police have clamped prohibitory orders to stop the farmers from gathering at the borders or entering Delhi. They have also issued a traffic advisory, warning commuters of diversions due to the movement of farmers.

In the order announcing the curbs, senior police officer Hridesh Katheriya said “the possibility of anti-national elements disturbing peace cannot be ruled out”.

In a video message shared by news agency ANI, senior officer Shivhari Meena said heavy force has been deployed at all Noida-Delhi borders. “All borders have been sealed for 24 hours. All vehicles going towards Delhi are being checked. We are also taking steps to ensure that the common man does not face any problem. We are in talks with the farmers,” he said.

On the national capital’s borders with Haryana, preparations are on to block the farmers when they try to enter Delhi on Tuesday. Cement barriers, which look similar to the ones used during the 2020-21 protest, have been brought in and sandbags can also be spotted on the Shambhu border, although force is yet to be deployed.

Haryana police have also issued notices to farmers, asking them not to join the protest and warning them of “huge losses” if they do.

The farmers in Haryana and Punjab, who have planned a tractor march on Tuesday, have several demands, including a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, pension for farmers, crop insurance and the quashing of FIRs registered against farmers during the 2020 protest.

Haryana police have also sought assistance from central forces to block the farmers on its borders with Punjab. 

Significantly, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha that lead the 2020 protest is not part of this protest. This is being led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (apolitical). Several outfits from Haryana are also expected to join in.

The government on Thursday suspended the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar – an arrangement that allows people from either nation to enter up to 16km without travel documents – Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on X (formerly Twitter)

“It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “resolve to secure our borders,” Mr Shah posted, adding, “Ministry of Home Affairs has decided Free Movement Regime (will) be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country, and to maintain demographic structure of north-eastern states.”

The decision comes two days after Mr Shah said India will fence the entire 1,643-km border with Myanmar and build a patrolling track next to the barrier.

The announcement comes amid the ethnic violence in Manipur between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes, who share ethnic ties with communities in Myanmar’s Chin State, and the valley-majority Meiteis.

The parliament witnessed a rare bonhomie this morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his predecessor Manmohan Singh for being an “inspiration” for lawmakers.

Bidding farewell to the retiring members, the Prime Minister recalled when Mr Singh arrived at the Parliament in a wheelchair to cast his vote over a key legislation.

“I remember during the voting in the House, it was known that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came on his wheelchair and cast his vote. This an example of a member being alert of his duties. He was an inspirational example,” he said.

The Prime Minister said it wasn’t about who Mr Singh was supporting and that he believes “he was only strengthening this democracy.”

“I pray that he lives long and keep guiding us,” he added.

In August, Mr Singh had reached the parliament in a wheelchair during a discussion on a key bill that sought to empower the central government to make rules in affairs related to the Delhi government. During Presidential elections too, he had arrived in a wheelchair to cast his vote.

Manmohan Singh’s contributions as a leader and in the opposition has been immense, the Prime Minister said. “Ideological differences are short lived, but the way Manmohan Singh has guided this House and the country for such a long period, he will be remembered for his contributions during every discussion on our democracy,” he added.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who spoke next, thanked PM Modi for his words about Manmohan Singh.

“Manmohan Singh did good work. I thank the PM for his words. This is how things should be. Appreciate good work and criticise the bad,” said the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Manmohan Singh, a six-time MP, has served as the country’s 13th Prime Minister between 2004 and 2014. He was also the Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government and RBI Governor from 1982-1985.