23:28 (IST)
‘Return to your homes’
The Haryana cabinet held a special meeting on Tuesday evening under the chairmanship of Chief Minister M L Khattar in the wake of the events that unfolded in the National Capital during the tractor parade and appealed to all protesting farmers to return to their homes. Khattar said farmer unions had assured a peaceful tractor rally in the National Capital.
“But the events which unfolded today make it clear that this agitation is now not under the control of these farmer leaders. And the command of this agitation is now in the hands of such anarchic elements whose ideology is different from the farmers” interests,” he said. The chief minister issued a statement asking the farmer community to ponder over where their agitation was headed.
“The entire Haryana cabinet, through its special meeting held today, humbly appeals to all farmers of this agitation to return to their homes. The strong need of the hour this time is that together we defeat the designs of the anti-social elements,” Khattar said.
22:30 (IST)
‘Didn’t remove Tricolour’
Amid massive outrage over protesters hoisting a religious flag at the Red Fort during the tractor rally on Republic Day, actor Deep Sidhu, who was among those present during the incident, on Tuesday sought to defend their action, saying it was a symbolic protest and they did not remove the National Flag.
In a video posted on Facebook, he said that they should not be given any communal colour or dubbed as fundamentalists or hardliners. “To symbolically register our protest against the new farm legislations, we put up ”Nishan Sahib” and a farmer flag and also raised a slogan of Kisan Mazdoor Ekta,” said Sidhu.
The flag represents the country’s “unity in diversity”, he said while pointing towards the ”Nishan Sahib”, a symbol of Sikh religion seen at all Gurdwara complexes. He stated that the National Flag was not removed from the flagpole at the Red Fort and that nobody raised a question over the country’s unity and integrity.
22:10 (IST)
86 police personnel injured in clashes
The Delhi Police on Tuesday said protesting farmers violated the conditions pre-agreed for their tractor parade and indulge in violence and vandalism, leaving 86 of its personnel injured. In a statement, the police also claimed it did all due diligence in following the conditions for the rally, but the protesters began their march much ahead of the scheduled time and extensive damage to public property was caused during the violence by them.
The police statement came as the National Capital witnessed clashes between protesters and police during the tractor parade by farmers to press their demand of repealing the three new agri laws. “The protesters violated conditions fixed for the rally. The farmers began tractor rally before the scheduled time, they also resorted to violence and vandalism,”
Delhi Police PRO Eish Singhal said. “We followed all conditions as promised and did our due diligence but the protest led to extensive damage to public property. Many policemen were also injured during the protest,” Singhal said.
22:08 (IST)
Farmers begin returning to protest sites
After hours of chaos during their tractor parade in Delhi against the Centre’s new agri laws on Tuesday, thousands of protesting farmers including those at the Red Fort and Mukarba Chowk, started returning to their sit-in sites at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders.
Wielding sticks and clubs and holding the Tricolour and union flags, tens of thousands of farmers atop tractors broke barriers, clashed with police and entered the city from various points to lay siege to the Red Fort and climb the flagpole on Republic Day. A protesting farmer died at Delhi’s ITO after his tractor overturned. The farmers draped the body in the tricolour and kept it at the ITO crossing, not allowing the police to send it for post-mortem. Police also had to use lathicharge and teargas shells to control unruly protesters at multiple locations in the city.
“There is no protesting farmer at ITO crossing and the situation is under control,” an official said.
20:58 (IST)
Mumbai law student writes to CJI, urges him to take cognisance of violence in Delhi
A Mumbai-based law student Tuesday wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde urging him to take suo motu cognisance of the violence that took place at the Red Fort during the farmers’ tractor march on Republic Day. The letter, written by Mumbai University student Ashish Rai, claimed that the tractor march event has been terrorized by some anti-social elements”.
It requested that a Special Investigation Committee be formed on this entire matter to conduct a rigorous inquiry against the anti-social elements involved in this unconstitutional activity and to punish the accused
20:54 (IST)
Mobile internet suspended in 3 Haryana districts for 24 hours
Mobile internet services have been suspended in three Haryana districts of Sonipat, Jhajjar and Palwal until 5 pm Wednesday, the state government said Tuesday evening, as violent protests by farmers rocked neighbouring Delhi. Haryana’s Home Secretary Rajeev Arora said the order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the districts. The order comes into force immediately and will remain in effect till 5 pm of 27 January, he said.
20:49 (IST)
Traffic movement returns to normal at protests hit roads
Traffic movement has resumed per normal standards at Shastri Park to ISBT, Mukarba Chowk to Singhu Border, Loni Border, Chintamani Chowk, Barapullah and DND, the Delhi Traffic Police said. Roads leading to NH-24, NH9 towards Ghaziabad, Peeragarhi Chowk, and Punjabi Bagh Chowk have also been unclogged.
20:41 (IST)
Extremists in garb of food providers, says Sambit Patra
As a tractor parade by farmers protesting against three contentious farm laws turned violent, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said those who were seen as ‘annadata’ (food providers) for so many days have turned out to be extremists.
He also tweeted a video in which a protestor is purportedly seen throwing away a national flag handed to him from the crowd as he climbs a pole to hoist a different flag. Firstpost could not independently verify the veracity of the visual clip in Patra’s tweet, which has been attributed to PTC News
दुःखद!! pic.twitter.com/gk944uW1ZW
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) January 26, 2021
20:36 (IST)
SP has a narrow escape as farmers ram tractors into police barricade
The Palwal police chief and another officer had a narrow escape Tuesday as some protesting farmers allegedly drove their tractors dangerously and tried to break barricades to force their way into Delhi through a non-designated route at Palwal-Faridabad border, police said.
20:09 (IST)
I feel ashamed, Yogendra Yadav takes moral responsibility for violence
20:07 (IST)
US issues travel advisory for its officials in view of the protests
“Media outlets are reporting clashes between New Delhi Police and protesting farmers throughout areas of Delhi incuding the northern border of Delhi, areas along the Republic Day parade route, and downtown areas near the India Gate. US government personnel have been advised to avoid these areas, stay at home, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large groups, protests, or demonstrations,” the US embassy in India advised American citizens and officials currently in India.
20:02 (IST)
SKM calls off R-day march with immediate effect
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called off Kisan Republic Day Parade with immediate effect and has appealed to all participants to immediately return to their respective protest sites. SKM announced the movement will continue peacefully and further steps will be discussed and decided soon.
19:48 (IST)
Previous media reports on Khalistani flag at Red Fort incorrect
Certain sections of the media had reported that the flag hoisted by protesters on the Red Fort carried the symbol of Khalistan, while others on social media suggested it had been used to replace the Tricolour hoisted traditionally at the historic building’s highest dome. A wider shot of the incident has revealed that the flag was actually a Sikh religious flag, Nishan Sahib and it was not hoisted in place of the Indian National Flag. The Tricolour was at its original spot unscathed, while the other flag was hoisted at a lower minaret closer to the main dome.
The tricolour remains untouched and aloft at Red Fort.. the Nishan Sahib flags did NOT replace the tricolour at any stage.. more people waving the tricolour all over the Red Fort.. pic.twitter.com/dRrvaggObP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 26, 2021
19:32 (IST)
High alert in Punjab, Haryana after violent clashes in Delhi
News reports have said that the police in both Punjab and Haryana — the states where the farmers’ agitation is arguably rooted at — have declared high alerts following the violence in Delhi today. First, the Haryana DGP announced that the state police has been asked to remain on high alert amid reports of clashes between farmers and cops in neighbouring Delhi. Now Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has also ordered a high alert in the state amid the tension and violence in Delhi and directed Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta to ensure that law and order in the state is not disturbed at any cost.
19:27 (IST)
Additional paramilitary force to be deployed in Delhi
The Hindu quoted senior government officials to report that the number of paramilitary forces deployed in Delhi will b increased. The newspaper said that the decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence. The meeting was reportedly attended by Home Secretary Ajay Bhall, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava and Intelligence Bureau officials.
19:05 (IST)
Farmers broke pre-decided conditions for parade, many personnel injured: Delhi Police
The Delhi Police Tuesday said protesting farmers violated the conditions pre-agreed for their tractor parade and resorted to violence and vandalism, leaving many police personnel injured. In a statement, the police also claimed the force did all due diligence in following the conditions for the rally, but the protesters began their march much ahead of the scheduled time and extensive damage to public property was caused.
18:56 (IST)
Traffic mayhem in many parts of Delhi due to farmers’ tractor parade
Traffic went haywire on national capital roads on Tuesday as the tractor parade taken out by farmers spilled into many parts of the city and reached Central Delhi’s ITO and Red Fort areas despite police raising barricades and checkpoints at multiple places.
18:35 (IST)
Mamata Banerjee reacts to violence in farmers’ movement
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held the Centre’s “insensitive attitude” responsible for the violent clashes between protesting farmers and police in Delhi today.
“Deeply disturbed by worrying & painful developments that have unfolded on the streets of Delhi. Centre’s insensitive attitude and indifference towards our farmer brothers & sisters has to be blamed for this situation,” she tweeted.
First, these laws were passed without taking farmers in confidence. And then despite protests across India & farmers camping near Delhi for last 2 months, they’ve been extremely casual in dealing with them.
Centre should engage with the farmers & repeal the draconian laws. (2/2)— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 26, 2021
18:28 (IST)
Groups of farmers start moving back to respective protest states, but thousands still in Delhi
Some groups of farmers started going back to their respective sit-in sites on Tuesday evening after hours of chaos during their tractor parade against the farm laws, but thousands of other protesters were still in several areas, including ITO, Nangloi and Mukarba Chowk, of the national capital. Hundreds of farmers were sitting at the ITO crossing and many, who entered the city from the Singhu border protest site, were moving towards Delhi’s Outer Ring Road.
18:24 (IST)
Dead farmer’s body moved from ITO in pickup truck
The protesting farmers had draped the deceased’s body in tricolours and had blocked the roads briefly, demanding that the police arrange for an ambulance to take the body back to Punjab. However, The Hindu later reported that the body was moved in the back of a pickup truck from the spot.
18:21 (IST)
25-yr-old Punjab farmer killed in protests near ITO
The Delhi Police had told PTI earlier in the day that the tractor of a farmer had overturned in the chaos near ITO on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The deceased has now been identified as Ranveet Singh from Bilaspur in Punjab. According toThe Hindu, he was the only son of his parents and had returned to India from Australia around two years ago. He was survived by his wife and parents.
#FarmersProtests | The deceased identified as Ranveet Singh, 25, was the only child of his parents. He returned to India from Australia around two years ago. He was survived by his wife and parents.
– @saurabh3vedi
Live updates: https://t.co/twmiwAuRnA— The Hindu (@the_hindu) January 26, 2021
18:16 (IST)
Tractor Parade from Tikri reaches Red Fort via Nangloi
A group of farmers who had started there march from Tikri, and had clashed with police in Nangloi area have finally reached the Red Fort, The Indian Express reported. Earlier in the day, the police had forcefully removed another group of protesters from the historic site after violence broke out.
18:04 (IST)
Capt Amarinder Singh urges ‘genuine’ farmers to vacate Delhi
Shocking scenes in Delhi. The violence by some elements is unacceptable. It’ll negate goodwill generated by peacefully protesting farmers. Kisan leaders have disassociated themselves & suspended #TractorRally. I urge all genuine farmers to vacate Delhi & return to borders.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 26, 2021
17:50 (IST)
Delhi Metro resumes services on grey line; one gate open at several other stations
Normal service has resumed on grey line. Entry/exit has been permitted through one gate in the following stations — Samaypur Badli, Rohini Sector 18/19, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Jahangir Puri, Adarsh Nagar, Azadpur, Model Town, GTB Nagar, Vishwavidyalaya, Vidhan Sabha and Civil Lines.
17:33 (IST)
AAP condemns violence, says regrettable that Centre allowed situation to deteriorate
We condemn violence that was seen in Delhi. It is regrettable that the Centre allowed the situation to deteriorate to such an extent. Movement has been peaceful for last 2 months. Farmer leaders have said those who indulged in violence were ‘external elements’, the Aam Aadmi party said in a statement.
17:24 (IST)
Entry, exit gates of 20 Delhi metro stations temporarily closed
The entry and exit gates of at least 20 metro stations were closed as chaos escalated due to the farmers’ protest turning violent on Tuesday. Railway trains were also stopped as a precautionary measure for over two hours at the Tilak Bridge railway station after the protestors reached ITO in Central Delhi and clashed with police.
16:54 (IST)
Use of tear gas, baton charge against farmers is unacceptable, says Yechury
The CPM on Tuesday lashed out at the Centre over the treatment meted out to protesting farmers during their tractor rally, and said tear gassing and lathicharging them is “unacceptable”.
Tear gassing & lathicharging Kisans is unacceptable.
Why, after the Delhi Police & Samyukt Kisan Morcha agreement?
Why is the government provoking a confrontation.
They must allow the peaceful, agreed tractor parade to continue.https://t.co/oVwpEdWF6S— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 26, 2021
16:37 (IST)
‘Anti-social elements’ infiltrated peaceful rally despite best efforts, says SKM
Distancing themselves from the violence during the farmers’ march, Sanyukta Kisan Morcha has said that despite their efforts, some organisations and individuals violated route and indulged in condemnable acts.
“Despite all our efforts, some organisations and individuals violated route and indulged in condemnable acts. Anti-social elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement. We’ve always held that peace is our biggest strength and any violation would hurt the movement,” News18 quoted an SKM spokesperson as saying.
16:36 (IST)
Punjab CM appeals to PM to accept farmers’ demands
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to accept the farmers’ demands, saying the new farm laws were “completely wrong”. Singh said the elderly farmers were sitting at the borders of Delhi not for themselves, but for their children and the future generations.
16:16 (IST)
DMK leader MK Stalin blames Centre for Tuesday’s clashes
Holding the central government responsible for the violent clashes between protesting farmers and Delhi Police on Tuesday, DMK chief MK Stalin said that the Centre’s attitude is the reason that the farmers protests dragged on for so long and turned violent today. He also appealed to the two sides to look for a peaceful resolution.
மத்திய அரசின் அணுகுமுறையே #FarmersProtests போராட்டக் காட்சிகளுக்குக் காரணம்.
அதிமுக ஆதரிக்காமல் இருந்திருந்தால் #FarmLaws நிறைவேறியே இருக்காது!
வன்முறை அரசின் திசைதிருப்பல் முயற்சிக்கு உதவிடும்!
ஜனநாயக நெறிக்கு உட்பட்டு அமைதி வழியில் தீர்வு காண இருதரப்பினரும் முயல வேண்டும்.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 26, 2021
16:11 (IST)
Protesting farmer dies after tractor overturns
Protesting farmer dies at Delhi’s ITO after his tractor overturns, police officials told PTI. The ITO resembled a war zone as restive crowds of farmers and uniformed security personnel could be seen in the area. Police fired tear gas shells at hundreds of farmers who wielded sticks and clubs and entered ITO, a few kilometres away from Parliament, in an effort to move towards Rajpath.
15:58 (IST)
Internet services shut down in parts of NCR including Singhu Border, Nangloi
The internet services have been snapped in some parts of Delhi-NCR in view of the prevailing law and order situation, an order from the MHA said. The areas where internet is suspended include Singhu Border, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi.
Internet services shut off in parts of Delhi NCR | Follow LIVE Updates on #FarmersProtest here: https://t.co/0qtjFhwRUq pic.twitter.com/A2tqcGRDp2
— Firstpost (@firstpost) January 26, 2021
15:50 (IST)
DMRC shuts down all stations on grey line
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to close off entry and exit points of all stations on the Grey Line. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Gate metro station was also shut down, along with all the stops on the Green Line.
Security Update
Entry/exit gates of all stations on grey line are closed.
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I कृपया मास्क पहनें😷 (@OfficialDMRC) January 26, 2021
15:17 (IST)
We know the people trying to create disturbance: Rakesh Tikait
Speaking on allegations that protests have gone out of the hands of farmer leaders, Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said: “We know the people who are trying to create disturbance, they are identified. There are people from political parties who are trying to malign the agitation.”
15:06 (IST)
Connaught Place to remain shut today
The Connaught Place in central Delhi will remain closed Tuesday in view of the ongoing tractor march by farmers, which turned violent at some places in the city, PTI quoted the New Delhi Traders Association as saying.
On Republic Day every year, Connaught Place opens around 1 pm.
15:02 (IST)
Delhi residents flank protesters of tractor rally, offer food and water
Activist Kavita Krishnan said that several residents of Delhi formed a human chain on Tuesday, flanking the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day to distribute food and water to the protesters.
Delhi’s public has informally formed a human chain, uninterrupted presence flanking the #TractorParadeOn26Jan with delight, warmth, water, snacks, welcome pic.twitter.com/bZ5xo18RPv
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 26, 2021
14:55 (IST)
Will not condone lawlessness: Shashi Tharoor
Several politicians on Tuesday condemned the action by protesters as they reached the Red Fort, entered its complex and hoisted yellow flags. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responded sharply to the incident and said “cannot condone lawlessness”.
“Most unfortunate. I have supported the farmers’ protests from the start but I cannot condone lawlessness. And on Republic Day no flag but the sacred tiranga should fly aloft the Red Fort,” said Tharoor.
14:34 (IST)
Violence not the solution to any problem: Rahul Gandhi
Underlining that violence is not the solution to any problem, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday appealed to the Centre to repeal the three farm laws
हिंसा किसी समस्या का हल नहीं है। चोट किसी को भी लगे, नुक़सान हमारे देश का ही होगा।
देशहित के लिए कृषि-विरोधी क़ानून वापस लो!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 26, 2021
14:31 (IST)
Red Fort occupied by protestors
Farmers have entered the Red Fort and their tractors are present outside. While few cops are sitting on chairs, others are trying to bring down certain flags which the protestors have hoisted.
Delhi: Flags installed by protestors continue to fly at Red Fort. #FarmLaws #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/U0SZnTw4Wn
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
14:17 (IST)
Tractor driver dead at Minto Road, say reports
According to some media reports, a tractor overturned at Minto Road in New Delhi leading to the death of the driver on Tuesday during the farmers’ protest rally against Centre’s farm laws.
13:54 (IST)
Protesters reach Red Fort
According to media reports, some police personnel were thrashed by the protesting farmers in the ITO area of the National Capital. The protesters had also vandalised a DTC bus earlier. Meanwhile, the protesters have reached outside the Red Fort.
13:34 (IST)
Protesting farmers and police clash at ITO area
A clash broke out between police and protesting farmers after the latter reached ITO in the National Capital and tried to move towards Delhi. The protesters were seen chasing police personnel with sticks. The police force also resorted to lathicharge and fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
13:15 (IST)
Police fires tear gas on protesters at Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk
At Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk, security personnel used tear gas on groups of farmers as they tried to break barricades and cemented barriers with tractors.
An official said that police personnel used tear gas on groups of farmers coming from the Singhu border point to disperse them after they tried to hold their march on Outer Ring Road.
13:01 (IST)
All metro stations on Green Line are shut: DMRC
The entry and exit gates of Indraprastha metro station and all stations on the Green Line have been the shut, said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday.
12:38 (IST)
DelhI Police resorts to tear gas firing
Protesting farmers were baton-charged and tear gas shells were fired by policemen as chaos unfolded near borders of the National Capital.
According to officials, security personnel tried to convince the farmers that they have been given permission to hold their tractor parade in Delhi after the Republic Day parade at the Rajpath concludes.
Tear gas, lathi-charge by cops as protesting farmers break barricades at Delhi borders, begin #KisanTractorRally
(Video from Akshardham, Delhi) pic.twitter.com/tq1c4WuHiN
— NDTV (@ndtv) January 26, 2021
12:35 (IST)
Farmers at Karnal bypass break barricades
Protestors at Karnal bypass break police barricading to enter Delhi as farmers tractor rally is underway in the National Capital against Centre’s farm laws.
#WATCH Protestors at Karnal bypass break police barricading to enter Delhi as farmers tractor rally is underway in the national capital#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/pzfJs6Ioef
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
12:32 (IST)
Farmers at Singhu border breach barricades, police resort to tear gas firing
Thousands of farmers knocked down police barricades and entered Delhi on foot Tuesday morning amid huge police presence ahead of a tractor rally. Tear gas shells were fired by policemen to stop the protesters in some parts of the city.
Farmer Tractor Rally LATEST Updates: In a video posted on Facebook, he said that they should not be given any communal colour or dubbed as fundamentalists or hardliners. “To symbolically register our protest against the new farm legislations, we put up ”Nishan Sahib” and a farmer flag and also raised a slogan of Kisan Mazdoor Ekta,” said Sidhu.
The Delhi Police on Tuesday said protesting farmers violated the conditions pre-agreed for their tractor parade and indulge in violence and vandalism, leaving 86 of its personnel injured.
The order was issued in view of the potential law and order situation on account of events which unfolded during the farmers’ tractor parade in the national capital
The letter, written by Mumbai University student Ashish Rai, claimed that the tractor march event has been “terrorized by some anti-social elements”. It requested that a Special Investigation Committee be formed on this entire matter to conduct a rigorous inquiry against the anti-social elements involved in this unconstitutional activity
Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav said he felt “ashamed” of the way the farmers’ tractor parade turned out on Tuesday, and took responsibility for it. “Being a part of the protest,” he said, “I feel ashamed of the way things proceeded and I take responsibility of it.”
News reports have said that the police in both Punjab and Haryana — the states where the farmers’ agitation is arguably rooted at — have declared high alerts following the violence in Delhi today
Prominent opposition leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and MK Stalin today held the Centre responsible for pushing the situation this far, and adopting a regrettable attitude towards farmers
The Delhi Police had told PTI earlier in the day that the tractor of a farmer had overturned in the chaos near ITO on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The deceased has now been identified as Ranveet Singh from Bilaspur in Punjab
A group of farmers who had started there march from Tikri, and had clashed with police in Nangloi area have finally reached the Red Fort. Earlier in the day, the police had forcefully removed another group of protesters from the historic site after violence broke out.
The Delhi metro rail Corporation has said that normal service has resumed on grey line. Entry and exit has been permitted through one gate at several stations
The Delhi Police resorted to baton charge and firing of tear gas shells on farmers at Nangloi Chowk in West Delhi as they tried to deviate from the pre-agreed route to enter the national capital during their protest.
Distancing themselves from the violence during the farmers’ march, Sanyukta Kisan Morcha has said that despite their efforts, some organisations and individuals violated route and indulged in condemnable acts
The internet services have been snapped in some parts of Delhi-NCR in view of the prevailing law and order situation, an order from the MHA said. The areas where internet is suspended include Singhu Border, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi.
Residents of Punjab and Delhi took out rallies on Tuesday in support of those protesting the farm laws. Several people in the National Capital Region formed human chains and distributed food and water to the protesters.
Farmers have entered the Red Fort and their tractors are present outside. While few cops are sitting on chairs, others are trying to bring down certain flags which the protestors have hoisted.
According to media reports, some police personnel were beaten by the protesting farmers in the ITO area of the National Capital. The protesters had also vandalised a DTC bus earlier.
Violence continued at ITO in central Delhi with protesters being seen chasing police personnel with sticks. The cops resorted to lathicharge and fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
In view of the farmers tractor march in Delhi, some of the stations along the green line that have been shut are – Brigadier Hoshiar Singh, Bahadurgarh City, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma, Tikri Border, Tikri Kalan, Ghevra, Mundka Industrial Area, Mundka, Rajdhani Park, Nangloi Railway Station and Nangloi.
At Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk, security personnel used tear gas on groups of farmers as they tried to break barricades and cemented barriers with tractors.
Groups of farmers camping at Singhu and Tikri border points of the National Capital broke through police barricades Tuesday morning as they attempted to enter the city to carry out a tractor rally.
The Delhi Police resorted to lathicharge and tear gas at the Singhu border after protesting farmers breached barricades set up to thwart them from entering the National Capital.
The police had given farmers permission to enter the city after the official Republic Day parade at Rajpath.
Groups of protesting farmers camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points of the national capital broke police barricades on Tuesday morning to force their way into the city, much ahead of the time they were granted permission by Delhi Police for their tractor parade.
Tractors bearing flags could be seen, along with men and women dancing on dhols, and locals on both sides of the road showering petals on cavalcades, as security personnel tried to convince farmers to stick to the decided plan of holding the tractor parade after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade at the Rajpath.
Farmers also marched on foot in large numbers holding flags of different farmer unions and raising slogans. Some were seen riding motorcycles and horses. People also perched atop their tractors and raised slogans and sang revolutionary songs.
Locals were also seen distributing food and water bottles to the protesting farmers who were part of the march.
A senior police officer who was at the spot said that a group of farmers entered the national capital after breaking the barricades.
“As per agreement, they were supposed to start their parade at the time specified but they forcefully entered Delhi and are currently peacefully sitting at Mukarba Chowk. They are supposed to head towards Bawana side as per the route but they are adamant that they want to go towards Outer Ring Road.
“The situation is peaceful and we are trying to convince them to go towards the designated route at the specified time, he said.
On Sunday, Delhi Police had allowed the tractor rally after the annual Republic Day parade. The protesters were told they can’t disrupt the celebrations at Rajpath even as the farmers insisted their parade will be “peaceful”.
“But some groups of farmers did not relent and started moving towards the Outer Ring Road breaking police barricades,” an official said.
A member of the Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 41 unions, leading the protest against the three central farm laws at several border points of Delhi, said those who broke the barricades belonged to the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee.
He said the Sankyukt Kisan Morcha’s tractor parade will start as scheduled after police give farmers way. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee on Monday announced that they would hold their march on Delhi’s busy Outer Ring Road on Republic Day.
The protesting unions have also announced a foot march to Parliament on February 1, when the annual Budget is being presented, to press for their demands, including a repeal of the three new agriculture laws.
Heavy security has been deployed in view of the ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ that will move into Delhi from the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points.
Patrolling has been intensified at power substations in Delhi following a threat from the banned Sikhs for Justice outfit to disrupt the city’s supply during the Republic Day celebrations.
An official said around 6,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain vigil. Facial recognition systems have also been set up at vantage points for suspect identification, the official said.
The security personnel are keeping a hawk-eyed vigil over Rajpath, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating the occasion along with other dignitaries and thousands of people.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been campaing at several Delhi border points since 28 November, demanding a complete repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price for their crops.