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Farmers ready with own protocol on their RD tractor march

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 1/26/2021 9:52:15 PM

NEW DELHI, Jan 25: A day ahead of the parallel Republic Day parade with tractors in the national capital on Tuesday, the Kisan Ekta Morcha, the apex body of agitating farmer unions, on Monday issued an appeal to support a "peaceful march" and released detailed instructions to make it a grand success.
Delhi Police has promised to remove the barricades after the main Republic Day parade at the Rajpath is over and move with the tractor march to ensure no sabotage or violence. Its estimate is that 30,000 tractors will join the parade, but the farmer leaders say it may swell to 2 lakh as the tractors are coming in large numbers from all over the country and not only from Punjab and Haryana and as such the parade may go on for 24 to 48 hours. No halt even during the night.
In an appeal on Twitter, the Morcha said: "Our Leaders Have Committed that “We will peacefully take out the tractor march and do the roadshow. it’s our duty to honour their words (to police) and support them by all means."
In its instruction protocol, the Morcha said: "We are about to make history. Never before have the people of this Republic been part of a parade of this nature on the Republic Day. Through this parade we have to tell the country and the world about our plight. We have to bring forth the truth about the three Anti-Farmer Laws. We have to take care that this historical parade is not strained at any cost. Our Victory lies in the parade being taken out in a very peaceful manner, without any unwanted/unwarranted events taking place. Remember that our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this country."
The instructions are in three parts: Preparations before the parade, instructions to be followed during the parade and guidelines for Emergency. The Morcha leaders said these have been drawn up in consultations with the police that went on till Sunday morning. The parade will not halt at any place, no langars or food stalls on the route as the people have to consume food carried with them while moving forwards.
It clearly lays down that trolleys will not be allowed in the parade. Only tractors and other vehicles (cars, but not trucks) will be allowed. Trolleys, with the special tableaux are exempted, ensuring their safety from the behind.
Other instructions for preparations are: Pack 24 hours of ration and water and have proper arrangements for protection from cold, required if you are stuck in a traffic jam, every tractor or cart to be fitted with the flag of the farmers' organisation as well as the national flag, but no flag of any political party, no carrying of any weapon, not even sticks, no banners with any provocative or negative slogans and give a missed call on 8448385556 confirming participation in the parade.
DURING PARADE: The parade will be led by farmer leaders in their cars and no car/tractor shall overtake them while volunteers dressed in green jackets will issue the directions of the parade. Other instructions are:
-- The route of the parade has been pre-decided and marked. Police and traffic volunteers will guide you and any car/tractor found deviating from the route will be acted against;
-- If any car/tractor halts/occupies an area without any reason, it will be removed by the volunteers. All cars and tractors will return to the starting point after completing the parade;
-- A maximum of 5 people, including the driver, can ride on one tractor, but nobody on the bonnet, bumper or roof;
-- All tractors to proceed in a queue and no overtaking throughout the parade, especially not the vehicles of the farmer leaders leading the parade;
-- No playing of music by those on the tractors to ensure that all announcements are heard by everyone in the parade without any hindrance;
-- Use of drugs before or during the parade is prohibited. Anyone found in possession/consuming the drugs will be reported to the traffic volunteers;
-- Do not pollute the surroundings by throwing garbage on roads but carry a bag for disposal of waste: and
-- Remember that the intent is to gracefully carry out the parade and win hearts of our fellow citizens. Policemen are also part of us. Don't indulge in any quarrels and respect the representatives of all news channels.
The Morcha guidelines for emergency say it has made proviions for emergency of every kind and hence there should be no panic. Ignore any rumours and verify the truth from the Morcha's Facebook page. Ambulances will be in the vicinity in the parade, arrangements made with hospitals and one can call the Helpline number 7428384230 in case of any medical emergency. In case of any unfortunate incident, one can also report to the police control room on number 112.
In case of any issue or malfunctioning of tractor/car, place it on the side and contact volunteers or call the helpline.