Chhavi Bhatia

New Delhi—Farmers protesting against the controversial new farm laws on Saturday said that the Delhi Police has given them the clearance to hold their 100-km tractor procession on Republic Day. The nod comes after initial resistance by the authorities which also led them to seeking the top court’s intervention into disallowing the march.

The announcement came a day after the farmers rejected the Centre’s proposal to defer the laws for 18 months, warning it that they would not accept anything less than repeal and written assurance of the Minimum Support Price(MSP).

Farmer leaders said hundreds of thousands from neighbouring states including Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh will drive tractors through the national capital on January 26. “The police will give us three routes to enter Delhi from three borders—Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. They will also remove barricades to allow us to enter Delhi,” senior farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni.

The farmers had since been emphasising that the rally will remain peaceful contrary to the police apprehension that it may turn violent. They have also been appealing the youth who form a large part of the contingent, to remain calm and not turn aggressive in case of police crackdown. “We urge all of those participating in the procession to not disrupt the national parade because it is our country. We should send out our message in a civil and organised way,” a senior leader said.