Chandigarh, Aug 10 (IANS) Elaborate security arrangements were made in Chandigarh and all 20 entry points from Punjab were sealed Tuesday in view of a farmers’ rally here, police said.
‘We have made elaborate law and order and security arrangements. All the 20 outer-border nakas have been established under the supervision of senior police officials,’ Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police S.S. Srivastava said.
‘Nearly 1,600 police personnel and home guard volunteers have been mobilised to keep the situation under control,’ he said.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Rajewal group) called for the rally to pressurise the Punjab government to increase productivity bonus on crops, disburse the central package early to farmers and relieve them from pending electricity bills.
Over 6,000 farmers are expected to converge in the city from different parts of Punjab. They said they will conduct the rally in Sector 17, the commercial hub of Chandigarh.
The city administration has imposed Section 144, except in Sector 25 rally ground, where the rally is expected to be held.
‘Section 144 has been imposed all across the city. It bans gathering of five or more persons. Liquor vends adjoining the Chandigarh border with Punjab have been closed. Even the petrol pumps at some critical locations have been closed,’ Chandigarh District Magistrate Brijendra Singh said.
Chandigarh Police and administration are extra cautious this time as in September last year protesters of a similar rally turned violent and indulged in rowdyism in various parts of the city. There were clashes between police and farmers and one person was dead and nearly 100 were injured.
