Delhi violence: Traffic smooth on NH-44 after brief snarls as several farmers turn back home

Tribune News Service
Karnal, January 28

Returning farmers briefly caused traffic snarls on the National Highway-44 towards Chandigarh on Wednesday—a development that comes a day after a tractor rally on Republic Day turned violent in the national capital.

The traffic flow eventually smoothened. Police were stationed in huge numbers along the highway. 

Many farmers were seen returning home from the site of protests. Several farmers however continue to camp at Singhu border.

Farmers’ union leaders held a meeting on Wednesday over Tuesday’s violence and subsequent FIRs that many union leaders now face in connection with the incident. They are also reconsidering their decision on holding a march to Parliament scheduled on February 1—the day the central government tables its budget.

The development comes a day after violence marred a tractor rally on Tuesday to protest the controversial agriculture laws that Parliament had passed in September. 

Several protesters defied a preset route for the protest and clashed with police at several places in the national capital, and also breached the iconic Red Fort, considered a symbol of sovereign India which hosts Independence Day celebrations every year. 

At least one person is reported to have died in connection with Tuesday’s events—a protester who police claimed was killed after his speeding tractor turned turtle near ITO. Police claim several policemen were wounded in the violence. 

Nine farmer union leaders have been booked after Tuesday’s events, including Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, and Gurnam Chudhni.

Most union leaders had condemned the violence.