New Delhi: Thousands of farmers entered New Delhi and reached Red Fort and ITO from Singhu and Ghazipur borders as part of their tractor rally Tuesday.
The farmers deviated from the pre-approved route and on their way clashed with the Delhi Police, vandalised buses and breached barricades. The police, in turn, resorted to lathi-charge and also lobbed tear gas shells.
A farmer in his 30s, who was on one of the tractors, was allegedly hit by a tear gas shell on his head. He started bleeding profusely and his truck overturned.
He was rushed to hospital. While farmers at the spot claimed he died on the spot, the police have not confirmed this or issued any formal statement in this regard.
Several farmers gathered at ITO, opposite the old Delhi Police Headquarters, with a plan to march to India Gate, where the Republic Day parade was held in the morning. Meanwhile, another group with over 5,000 tractors, reached Red Fort with an aim to “surround central Delhi”.
The police deployed at ITO resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Many farmers and even media personnel were injured in the lathi-charge.
“We had to resort to lathi-charge as the protesters would not listen to us. Although their leaders agreed to go back to the route that was mutually decided, these farmers decided to breach barricades, break police buses, attack policemen and march towards central Delhi,” a police officer, who did not wish to be named, told ThePrint.
He added: “We appeal to all farmers to not take law in their hands and stick to the designated route. They should return to the borders peacefully.”
At Nangloi in west Delhi, the Delhi Police also formed a human chain to stop tractors from reaching central Delhi to no avail.
Senior policemen including special commissioners and joint commissioners have been deployed at the borders.
No FIRs have been registered so far and no one has been detained. The police, however, said the protesters will be detained in buses if they do not return.
Also read: Tear gas shelling at Delhi borders as farmers break through barricade to begin tractor rally
‘This is how the govt will understand our might’
Meanwhile, farmers marched towards Red Fort and ITO wielding swords and iron pipes, though the swords were not used to attack anyone.
Speaking to ThePrint, a farmer from Punjab, Jalpreet Singh, said they deviated from their route to “show their might”.
“We will surround Red Fort. Only then the government will understand our might and plight,” Singh said.
A few farmers also sustained grave injuries. While a tear gas shell explosion almost decapitated a farmer’s thumb, another shell exploded near the ear of a young farmer.
“Look what has happened to us. Why would they throw these shells in the middle of where everyone is standing,” a protesting farmer said.
‘Wanted to send a message to govt, will return’
At the Red Ford, the protesting farmers climbed on to poles waving flags and hoisting the ‘Kesari Jhanda’. Many also performed bike stunts and showed off swords, raising anti-Modi slogans and chanting ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.
The farmers told ThePrint that they marched towards Lal Quila only “to send a message to the government” and will return to the borders to continue with the protest.
“We have showed the government our strength,” said Joginder Badal, a farmer.
“We have been undermined and underestimated. Hope the government now understands that they cannot impose those laws on us. No matter what is thrown at us, we will still win,” Joginder Badal said
“The Red Fort is a symbol of a Republic. Farmers are an integral part of this sovereign democratic republic. The Modi government has forgotten that. BJP must now accept defeat and understand that this is our country as well,” said K.S. Singh, a farmer from Amritsar.
Also read: 7 reasons why Modi govt is in retreat on farm reform laws
These farmers are a national shame.
I wrote 3 days back in response to Shivam Vij’s denunciation of democracy, where he exhorted the ideological opponents of the govt towards ‘protests’…that this incitement by certain ultra left individuals like Yogendra Yadav, others at NDTV, Kejriwal & Co & lastly members of communist organizations, can potentially lead to a capitol hill like shameful incident. I am very sad to say, that my point was proven right today. It is all right for a nobody like Shivam Vij to write any nonsense which comes to his mind, but when those, who have no electoral future, decide to take matters into their hands by using violence, this is what happens. Left parties seem to think that they can revive their fortunes by using this bill. They are mistaken again. That ideology is finished. Its gone forever. Anyway, I complement the govt which did not use force against these terrible individuals and rioters, who have no affinity towards this country and its property. I would also appreciate captain Amrinder Singh for clearly denouncing these violent and fanatic rioters. The whole idea of these ultra left urban naxals behind this violence was to immediately yell Hitler Hitler if the police has even fired and killed a single protestor! NDTV even started inciting during the day at the tragic death of a rioter (his tractor overturned as shown by video later when he was breaking barricades like James Bond) by giving credence to ‘police action’ in his death. In the end however, these images will go to the whole world and they will see who these ‘peaceful protestors’ really are.
Kill these goons. They are not farmers and my interest. I am a farmer and support the law. Only the punjabi and wested interests are against it, since the msp has to be shared with me. Currently i get no msp support but with the new law i can apply for msp and get it from tamil nadu. Pm sir, do not give in to these goons and terrorists
Venkat
Semi-literate leeches. No wonder at best they can drive cabs in Kaneda, or those who can’t even do that sit at home and suck on subsidies and MSP.