19 Arrested, 50 Detained Over Republic Day Violence: Delhi Police
Catch all the updates regarding the farmers’ tractor rally here.
The Delhi Police on Wednesday, 27 January, addressed a press conference, a day after the violence during the farmer’s Republic Day tractor rally, saying that the violence happened because terms and conditions were not followed. They also said that 19 accused have been arrested while 50 have been detained.
The Delhi Police have also filed 25 FIRs so far and named 37 farmer leaders including Yogendra Yadav, BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait and Medha Patkar.
On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu), a farmers’ union which has been protesting at the Chilla border for the last 58 days, withdrew their protest. The Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan also said that they are breaking away from the protests, but will continue to fight against farm laws.
- Security was heightened at the protest sites near the border, as well as Red Fort, a day after the violence
- Agitating farmers near Delhi’s borders were subjected to tear gas shelling and lathi charge on Tuesday
- Internet had also been suspended in various parts of Delhi-NCR as violence erupted on Tuesday
- The Samyukt Kisan Morcha called off the Kisan Republic Day parade later on Tuesday and appealed to all participants to return to their respective protest sites
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Day After Violence, Heightened Security at Singhu Border and Red Fort
A day after the violence, security was beefed up in areas such as the Singhu Border and Red Fort on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the entry and exit gates of the Lal Quila metro station remained closed early Wednesday. The entry gates of the Jama Masjid metro station were also shut.
86 Cops Injured, Properties Damaged in Acts of Vandalism: Delhi Police
The Delhi Police, late Tuesday, said 86 policemen were reportedly injured in the violence and several public and private properties were damaged in acts of vandalism by a rioting mob.
The force also said it is filing cases of violation of lawful directions, rioting, damage to public property and assault on public servant with deadly weapons, in connection with the various incidents of Tuesday.
22 FIRs Filed in Connection With Farmers' Tractor Rally Violence
Twenty-two FIRs have been filed so far in connection with the violence on Tuesday, the Delhi Police said.
Farmer Leaders to Address Protesters at Singhu Border Today
Farmer leaders will be addressing protesters at the Singhu border on Wednesday, a day after the violence in Delhi, NDTV reported.
Law Student Writes to CJI Asking Him to Take Cognisance
A law student from Mumbai has written to the Chief Justice of India, asking him to take sum moto cognisance of an incident at Red Fort, in which the student alleged that “the flag of another community has been waved in place of the National Flag of India”.
The student also lamented that a “large number of public property of the country has been damaged.”
Further, the student alleged that the flag of another community had been waved in place of the national flag of India, and sought a probe against the “anti-social element involved in this unconstitutional activity."
It must be pointed out, however, that India’s tricolour was not replaced by the flag of another community at Red Fort on Tuesday.
More than 300 Police Personnel Were Injured: Delhi Police
More than 300 police personnel were injured in clashes with agitating farmers on 26 January, the Delhi Police said, according to ANI.
Delhi Police Press Briefing on Violence at 2:30 pm Today
The Delhi Police will hold a press briefing at 2:30 pm on Wednesday over the violence during the farmers' tractor rally on Tuesday.
Prior to the briefing, the Delhi Commissioner of Police was holding a meeting with seniors officers regarding the incidents of Tuesday.
Delhi Police Press Briefing Rescheduled to 4 pm Today
The Delhi Police press briefing has been rescheduled to 4 pm on Wednesday.
'Those Who Indulged in Violence Will Have to Pay for Their Deeds': Farmer Leader
Farmer leaders on Wednesday, 27 February, condemned the violence that took place in Delhi during the tractor rally on Republic Day.
"Those who indulged in violence and unfurled flags at Red Fort will have to pay for their deeds. For the last two months, a conspiracy is going on against a particular community. This is not a movement of Sikhs, but farmers," Bharatiya Kisan Union's Rakesh Tikait was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Wednesday.
Tikait also slammed Punjabi actor and activist Deep Sidhu for his alleged role, saying he is a "worker of BJP". "This is a movement of farmers and will remain so. Some people will have to leave this place immediately – those who broke barricading will never be a part of the movement," he told ANI.
Meanwhile, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee's SS Pandher reportedly said, "Some miscreants joined the protest to defame the farmers' movement. We did not plan to unfurl the flags at Red Fort, this was not our program. Deep Sidhu's photo with the PM has floated, we had already expressed doubt over him."
200 Detained in Connection With Violence During Farmers' Tractor Rally
The Delhi Police has detained 200 people in connection with the violence on Tuesday, saying they will be arrested soon.
An FIR has been filed under sections 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grevious hurt), 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), and other sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the violence at Red Fort. The matter will be probed by the Crime Branch, ANI reported.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Conspired With Centre: SKM Alleges
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) accused the Centre of "conspiring" with the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) against the farmers’ “peaceful” agitation against the three farm laws.
“The concerned organisations discussed the violent incidents in New Delhi and concluded that the Union government has been severely shaken by this peasant agitation. Therefore, a dirty conspiracy was hatched with Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and others against the peaceful struggle of other farmer organisations who had set up their own protest site after 15 days of the beginning of this farmers’ agitation. They were not part of the organisations which jointly undertook the struggle,” the statement said.
AAP Blames BJP, Calls Amarinder 'Centre's Agent'
Aam Aadmi Party’s Raghav Chadha alleged that the BJP planted “their stooge Deep Sidhu to create chaos” in Tractor Rally. He also called Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh “Centre’s agent”, adding that those who took part in violence had no ties with the AAP.
Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan Breaks Away From Farmers' Protest
Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan convener VM Singh announced that they will be breaking away from protest against farm laws after violence erupted during the Tractor Rally.
Amit Shah Reviews Law & Order Situation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviews law and order situation, measures taken to ensure peace in Delhi, officials told PTI.
Bharatiya Kisan Union Withdraws From Protest
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu), a key farmers’ union, which have been protesting at the Chilla border for the last 58 days have withdrawn their protest after violence erupted during the Tractor Rally on Republic Day.
“I am deeply pained by whatever happened in Delhi yesterday and ending our 58-day protest,” said Bhanu Pratap Singh, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) at Chilla border.
Modi Govt Wants to Malign Farmers: Congress
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi-led central government of maligning the farmers' protest over the Republic Day violence in Delhi and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for failing to maintain law and order in the national capital.
At a press conference, Surjewala asked how did Deep Sidhu, who was clicked with PM Modi and Amit Shah, managed to take protesters to the Red Fort. "This is the conspiracy by the government to remove the protesters," he said.
Delhi Police Files 25 FIRs, 37 Farmer Leaders Named
The Delhi Police has detained 200 people in connection with the violence that ensued on Tuesday, 26 January, and have filed 25 FIRs and named 37 farmer leaders including Medha Patkar, Buta Singh, Yogendra Yadav and BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait.
The FIRs registered at different police stations in Delhi have several common features. Most of them have been registered under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, assault of public servants, and spread of infectious diseases.
The most serious charge in the FIRs is of attempt to murder under Section 307 of the IPC, which can be punished with imprisonment for life. This is tied to the violence allegedly committed against police officers whether through attacks on the ground or using tractors.
None of the FIRs at this time appear to name any suspects or accused persons. While some FIRs list the names of the various farmer union leaders who engaged in negotiations with the Centre, as well as other leaders like Yogendra Yadav, the contents of the FIRs do not accuse them of any specific role, and nor are they listed in the suspects/accused persons column of the documents.
Took Undertaking From Farmer Leaders for Security Purposes: Delhi Police
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said that they had come to know on 2 January that farmers would hold a tractor rally.
“We asked them to hold the rally at Kundli Manesar Expressway. We assured that we provide security, support, and media coverage,” he said about their discussions with farmers.
“We had five rounds of meeting with farmer leaders. We told them not to march on 26 January but they refused. Then we suggested to carry out march in peripheral. Delhi police assured cooperation. But still they wanted to take out March in Delhi. At last we mutually decided on 3 routes, one from Singhu, one from Tikri and Ghazipur,” he said.
He added that keeping in mind security, certain terms and conditions were laid - that the rally would be held between 12 pm and 5 pm, that the tractor march should be led by leaders to control their people and there would be no deadly weapons and not more than 5000 tractors.
“We also took undertaking from leaders. But on 25 January evening we got to know that they will not keep the promise. Some miscreants gave provocative speeches from stage,” he said.
“Satnam Singh Pannu gave provocative speeches. Darshan Pal Singh also didn't stick to the route,” Shrivastava said.
Violence Took Place Because Terms and Conditions Not Followed: Delhi Police
Violence took place because law and order was not followed by protesters and all farmers leaders are responsible, said Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava.
He said that there had been an agreement with farmers and they had breached the trust of the police and legal action will be taken in view of this.
Police Maintained Restraint: Delhi Police
"Police maintained restraint despite having all options to control violence. We followed the option to prevent any loss of life. 394 policemen suffered injuries, 428 police barricades, 30 police vehicles, 6 dumpers damaged,” Delhi Police said.
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said that police behaved responsibly as per the agreement and that kisan leaders were involved in violence.
19 Arrested, 50 Detained Over R-Day Violence: Delhi Police
“So far, 19 accused have been arrested while 50 have been detained. They are being questioned,” Delhi Police said on Wednesday.
The police also said that over 25 FIRs have been registered and that facial recognition system will be used to identify culprits. “No one will be spared,” Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said.
Farmers' March to Parliament on 1 February Postponed
Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Balbir S Rajewal on Wednesday said that the farmers’ march to Parliament planned for 1 February has been postponed due to the violence on Republic Day.
“On Martyrs' Day, we'll hold public rallies across India on behalf of the farmers' agitation. We will also keep a one-day fast,” he said, according to ANI.
Insult to Tricolour won't be tolerated: Prakash Javadekar
Addressing a briefing on Wednesday, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The manner in which there was violence in Delhi yesterday, the more it is condemned, the less it is. Action should be against all of those who instigated others. India won't tolerate the manner in which the Tricolour was insulted at the Red Fort.”
"Congress constantly tried to instigate farmers' agitation. When some farmer leaders had said on 26th January that it's final match, then Punjab government should have monitored the tractors leaving from the state and made preventive arrests of habitual criminals."
Haryana Govt Extends Suspension on Internet, SMS Services in Areas
Haryana government has extended the suspension of internet and SMS services in Sonipat, Palwal, and Jhajjar districts till 5 pm on 28 January to check misinformation, the state government said, according to ANI.
Nearly 2,000 Unidentified Protesters Booked in Haryana
Nearly 2,000 unidentified protesters have been booked for allegedly trying to break barricades in Haryana's Palwal district to forcibly enter Delhi during the tractor parade and driving dangerously, among other charges, police said on Wednesday, according to PTI.