New Delhi: Thousands of farmers from various states and union territories have gathered today at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price along with other demands amid heightened security.


"The Kisan Mahapanchayat is being held to press for legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP)," the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer unions, said in a statement on Sunday, PTI reported.


Almost 2,000 security personnel have been deployed by the Delhi Police at the venue, news agency PTI reported.






Police personnel have been deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, the police said on Sunday, according to PTI.


The Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory yesterday to avoid inconvenience to the public. According to the advisory, around 15,000-20,000 people are likely to participate in the maha panchayat, who will start coming to the Ramlila Ground from the intervening night of February 19-20.


A total of eight diversion points were named in the notification, namely, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Marg Mirdard Chowk, Minot Road R/L, Ajmari Gate, Chaman Lal Marg, Delhi gate JLN Marg, R/A Kamala Market to Hamdard Chowk, Bhavbhuti Marg and Pahrganj Chowk.


The Delhi Traffic Police advised the public to avoid the given routes, and travel by taking sufficient time in hand.


Addressing a press conference, Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader Darshan Pal said, "The Centre must fulfil the assurances it gave to us in writing on December 9, 2021, and also take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers."


According to PTI, the Morcha, which spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the central government's now-repealed farm laws, has urged the Centre to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it was contrary to their demands. 


Farmers' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill. It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households.


The Morcha suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and legal guarantee for MSP.


(With PTI inputs)