‘Ready for a long haul, more central forces on the way’

MANOJ YADAVA, HARYANA DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

Aday before Republic Day, Haryana police chief Manoj Yadava, on Monday, said that a three-layer security perimeter has been set up at every Republic Day venue in state to ensure there are no disruptions. In an interview, the DGP said that police have been managing the farmers’ protest through dialogue, better intelligence, preventive steps, and keeping an element of surprise in the movement of the VIPs. Excerpts:

How well are state police prepared to deal with the ongoing farmers protest? Are the cops ready for a long haul?

There is a strong presence of the police force on the ground. We have been on the job for almost two months now and have been able to maintain the situation with continuous dialogue. The march on KMP expressway went off smoothly. So far, the situation has been managed through a combination of firmness and continuous dialogue. While respecting the farmers’ right to protest, we have made efforts aimed at confidence building measures. We are ready for a long haul.

Are you seeking more central forces from the MHA keeping in view the escalation in number of protesters and vehicles?

More central forces are on the way. In fact, 10 more companies of the central paramilitary forces (CPMF) are arriving Monday. These are in addition to 35 companies of CPMFs we already got (each company has 85 personnel). The more the protest intensified, the more boots on the ground we got.

How will you ensure that the R-day events are not disrupted? What are the arrangements in place?

We have made very effective arrangements to ensure there are no disruptions. There is three-tier security at every Republic Day venue in state. We have also engaged with the local farmer leaders to persuade them to treat Republic Day beyond any agitation and politics. However, if they still try to disrupt the event, we will deal with them firmly.

The police advisory cautioned on vehicular movement for three days on Delhi-bound national highways and expressways? Are there any measures in place to deal with the travel plans for case of medical emergency?

There are multiple routes to reach Delhi. One can travel through Uttar Pradesh or go via Rohtak and Jhajjar to Gurugram. Though these will be longer routes and will consume more time. We have advised against movement on the KMP e-way as it will get clogged due to the return traffic of tractors once they finish the loop approved by the Delhi Police.

Ruling party politicians have blamed the police for not controlling the mob during the Kaimla kisan mahapanchayat in Karnal? How is the police supposed to control agitating crowds without using force?

It is a difficult situation. The government has given clear directions to the police to act in a restrained manner. It’s a tightrope walk for Haryana police. We are managing the situation through dialogue, better intelligence, preventive steps, and keeping an element of surprise in the movement of the VIPs. For over two months of agitation, we have tried to engage with the farmer leaders. The Kaimla episode was not a happy one for us. The only positive was that no one was injured or killed. We are trying to do our best.