Chennai: In what could spell trouble for the administration, two IPS officers who were leading the police force at Singhu border, which is one of the hotspots of the farmer agitation, have tested positive for Covid-19.The protestors meanwhile have announced that they will block railway tracks if their demands are not met by the government.
Also, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday took to Twitter to inform commuters about routes closed for traffic in view of thousands of protesters camping at the city’s borders.
The police also advised people to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Tikri and Dhansa borders are still closed for traffic movement, while Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement, it said.
Those travelling to Haryana can take Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders, the police said in a tweet.
The closure of borders has also resulted in heavy traffic on alternative routes.
The development came on a day after Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, it was not proper to announce the next stage of agitation when talks were continuing and urged the unions to return to the discussion table.
Earlier on Wednesday, farmer leaders rejected a government proposal to amend the new agri laws, and announced they would intensify their agitation by blocking the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra expressways by Saturday, and escalating it to a nationwide protest on 14 December.
The farmer leaders have been adamant on their demand to scrap the laws, which they say will lead to dismantling of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism and mandis that ensure earning.
The government has been defending these laws, saying they will benefit the farmers in the long run and raise their incomes.