Red Fort violence: Centre steps up efforts against farmer leaders

The Union Home Ministry has stepped up its efforts for action against farmer leaders for going back on their promise for a peaceful tractor parade on the Republic Day amid indications that the government would now resume talks with farmers only after acceptance of its various offers.

Media reports said that Delhi Police have been told to issue lookout notices against those farmer leaders whose names appear in over 25 FIRs charging them with rioting, criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder.

The farmer leaders are likely to be told to deposit their passports with the police.

Also read: Red Fort violence conspiracy to defame us, traitors will be boycotted: Farmers

After the 11th round of talks with farmers, the Centre said it was ready to “hold” the three controversial laws, saying it was the best offer to the farmers. However, most farmer unions had rejected the offer, insisting on the laws’ total revocation. In the series of talks, the Centre had also agreed to give a guarantee on the Minimum Support Price.

The January 26 violence resulted in injuries to over 397 Delhi personnel, many of them being in critical condition at various hospitals in the national capital.

Media reports said the police have named 37 farmer leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Yogendra Yadav and Medha Patkar among others. Punjabi actor-singer Deep Sidhu and gangster-turned-activist Lakha Sidhana, have also been mentioned in the FIRs.

The police have demanded written explanation from many of these leaders why action should not be taken against them for reneging on their promise made during several rounds of talks with the police preceding the tractor parade. These leaders have been told to answer within three days the reasons behind the protesters flouting rules and going against the agreed route of the rally.

Protesters armed with sticks and swords entered the Red Fort and beat up those on duty. At ITO, there were attempts to overrun police officers by tractors. “As we moved to try and convince the protesters to stop, we were gheraoed by them. They started attacking us with lathis. We tried to run away but were trapped. I was attacked with lathis and sustained injuries on my wrist and head. I was not even in a position to stand and fell,” head constable Punjab Singh, who is undergoing treatment at Tirath Ram Shah Hospital, told PTI.

Farmers’ unions have distanced themselves from the violence, saying that outsiders instigated the protesters.

Meanwhile, home minister Amit Shah will visit Shushrut Trauma Centre and Tirath Ram Hospital in Civil Lines area to meet the injured police personnel.

Also read: Never said doors for dialogue with farmers shut: Javadekar