The tractor march scheduled to be representing a peaceful protest of the farmers, turned violent in Delhi on Tuesday and cops had to resort to lathicharge and tear gas shells. Deviating from the route assigned by Delhi Police, many tractors reached Lal Quila and took down the national flag atop the fort. The protesters replaced it with a yellow coloured flag, allegedly symbolising the Khalsa flag.
In response to the violence, several metro stations have been shut down and traffic police have also blocked a few routes. Metro stations at Dilshad Garden, Jhilmil, Mansarovar Park, Jama Masjid have all been closed, including all stations on the grey line.
Traffic movement is closed from R/A Shankar Road to Talkatora Road & Minto Road. Traffic movement is closed from Kapashera Chowk to Bijwasan Road. Diversion is given from Kapashera Border & Samalkha T Point. Traffic movement is closed from Dwarka More to Uttam Nagar East Metro Station. Diversion is given from Dwarka More.
The government also snapped the internet and telecom services in Tikri border and Mukarba Chowk areas. The internet blockage will be in effect till 12 midnight, Tuesday.
Farmers from Punjab and nearby areas have been staging a peaceful dharna near Delhi borders for nearly two months now. They have been protesting against the recently passed farm laws. In eleven rounds of talks between representatives of the central government and farmer unions, the government has invited discussions on objectionable clauses of the three laws. The protesting farmers, however, have been insisting on complete repeal of the laws.