Delhi’s AAP govt supplies water, electricity after UP govt disconnects supplies; reports say police, protesters clash

NEW DELHI — Tension was rising at Singhu border, the epicentre of farmers agitation, as some 300 people claiming to be locals clashed with protesting farmers and resorted to stone throwing, according to media reports.

According to Tribune, the group arrived at the famers’ protest site and things came to blows as they demanded the area to be vacated by the agitators who have been at the site for more than two months.

The police resorted to lathi-charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Farmers too appealed for calm.

However, it remained unclear how the large group of people managed to enter the site of the farmers’ protest despite the presence of security forces in large numbers.

Meanwhile, following Rakesh Tikait’s appeal last night scores of local people and political leaders reached on protest sites to give support to farmers.

Aam Aadmi Party which governs Delhi was among the first to come to his aid. It promised to supply water and arrangement of electricity.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Cabinet ministers in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, visited the protesting farmers at all three borders of Delhi on Friday.

At Singhu border also local people erupted in support of protesting farmers, say sources.

Tikait last had challenged the administration when police came to clear Ghazipur border. He told them he would rather lay his life but will not give up to the government.

The administration disconnected water and electricity supply at Ghazipur and other places of protest. People of the area responded to Tikait’s appeal by not only providing water but they also joined protesting farmers in big numbers, not only at Ghazipur but also at Singhu border and other places.

Groups of Uttar Pradesh farmers converged at Ghazipur border on Friday morning with a line of tractors in support of Rakesh Tikait.

Police and security personnel were withdrawn from the Ghazipur border after midnight on Thursday and now a large contingent of Police personnel is seen over there..

Friday morning, Dy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia reached Ghazipur border and expressed solidarity with the farmers. Delhi govenment also sent water tankers over there which were stopped by the police personnel saying that we have orders not to allow water tankers.
Other leaders have also reached there.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also talked to Rakesh Tikait on phone and reportedly assured him his full support.

The things going wary it seem as media reports say that police and protesters were engaged in brickbats at Singhu border. People reportedly indulged in stone pelting and police have resorted to lathi-charge and used tear gas shells.

According to IANS, several policemen including Alipur Police Station House Officer were injured at Singhu border.

Other key border points – Tikri and the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at Ghazipur – have also been placed under heavy security and remain tense.