Delhi Police held a press conference to talk about the recent violent events during the farmers’ tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day, January 26. Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava told reporters that after five round of meetings and several telephonc conversations, it was decided that few conditions would be imposed and three routes were mutually decided upon for the tractor march.
He added that the cops tried their best to convince the farmer leaders to shift their march to some other day.
The elhi Police commissioner said the farmers violated several guidelines, including the timings (12noon to 5pm), routes and the fact that farmer leaders must lead each group in the march. However, militant and aggressive elements were placed in the front at the last moment, they gave provocative speeches on January 25, he said. Mr Srivastava also named Satnam Singh Pannu for the provocative speeches.
Mr Shrivastava said, “We have taken this case seriously. We have video footage of people who carried out violence. We are using facial recognition system to arrest them and take action. So far, 25 criminal cases have been registered. No one will be spared.”
“Keeping in mind the interests of the security of the people of Delhi, it was decided that some terms & conditions be imposed, it was given to them in writing – the rally was to last from 12pm -5pm, it was to be led by farmer leaders & leaders must accompany their groups. It was also given to them in writing that there should be no more than 5,000 tractors (in the rally) and there should be no weapon with them,” he said.
He added, “We maintained restraint. We had all options but chose to show restraint. We chose restraint because we did not want loss of lives. There was an agreement between us, the violence was a result of them not following rules. All farmers leaders are responsible for it.”