By Venkatesh Raghavan
New Delhi: Protests spilling on to the streets, breaking of barricades erected at the Red Fort entrance and attempts by tractor wielding farmhands to run over or ram into police vehicles marred the scheduled farmers’ tractor rally at the National capital on Republic Day. The farmers’ umbrella organisation – Samyukta Kisan Morcha – sought to distance itself from the violent unruly behaviour unleashed on the precincts of the capital, stating, “We condemn and express regret over such rowdy acts of vandalism. We are neither party to nor endorse indulgence in such acts.”
While the violent turn that the agitation had taken attracted many sharp reactions, it also drew a cautionary note from Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar who expressed solidarity with the cause of the farmers and admonished the protestors, stating, “Don’t give the government a chance to blame you.” A late-night communique coming from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), asked the farmers to call off their Republic Day protest and return to their respective posts outside the Delhi border. The SKM informed that their protests will continue but at the same time they will ensure that it is done in a peaceful manner.
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- लाल किले पर राष्ट्रीय ध्वज के साथ दूसरे ध्वज फहराना निंदनीय है
The Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar summarised in his Republic Day speech that rights come along with responsibilities or duties as mandated by our constitution. “We must be conscious of abiding by the constitution we inherited today in 1950.” He however, did not make any direct reference to the farmer protests.
The protesting farmer bodies have now planned marching on foot to the doors of parliament house on the day the Union Budget is to be presented, February 1.
Today, protesting farmers were seen entering the Red Fort after they managed to breach the police barricades. One person died, many including several police personnels, were injured as hooligans hijacked the rally. Manoj Yadava, Director General of Police (DGP) Haryana has issued a state of high alert calling for continued vigil throughout the districts, as the protesting farmers were returned to their respective native homes in the evening hours.
As per Govt Orders 4G Data network was also closed down in Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab and some adjoining areas since the afternoon today. Airtel Customer Care confirmed it saying it may resume at midnight if not extended by the Union Government.
The vigil call is meant to ensure both, safe return of the farmers to their destination and safeguarding against any incidents of violence or rioting that might get instigated. The DG also said, “Strict action will be taken against anyone violating the law or indulging in violence.” A late evening notice was also issued for the users of Delhi Metro in wake of the farmers’ protest turning violent. It was announced “Entry gates of Shastri Nagar and Kanhaiya Nagar are closed. Entry and exit gates of Samaypur Badli, Civil Lines, Vidhan Sabha and Uttam Nagar East are open.” Meanwhile, there was a notice issued from the stables of the Union Home Ministry, mandating the suspension of telecom services in the border regions of the national capital that include Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi.
The Delhi police claimed that the protesting farmers had breached the agreement that was reached about their tractor rally. “They began their protest ahead of the scheduled time and still worse indulged in acts of violence and vandalism causing extensive damage to public property,” the police said.
