New Delhi: The national capital is on high alert with heavy security on ground, a day after utter chaos ensued in the city with thousands of protesting farmers breaching police barricades, vandalising public property and storming the Red Fort to unfurl religious flags.
So far, 22 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence and over 10 people detained. However, no arrests have been made, according to sources in the Delhi Police.
While the police managed to send the protesting farmers back to the city borders and clear the capital by the early hours of Wednesday, force has been deployed in huge numbers in areas leading to central Delhi, particularly those like Mukarba Chowk, ITO, Nangloi, Seemapuri and others that witnessed violence.
Barricades have also been put up at major arterial roads across the capital to check vehicles and movement of tractors.
“Although there are no protesters inside Delhi any more, we have still deployed heavy force on the ground to ensure better law enforcement. The force is concentrated at the borders and routes leading to central Delhi. All the farmers returned to the borders by late last night and Delhi has been cleared,” Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (Intelligence), told ThePrint.
Along with police, specialised units, including the Riot Control Force and Rapid Action Force, have also been deployed. The police has also parked buses at various intersections to detain any protester who may enter the capital.
Many of the farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, who were part of the two-month-long protest, have returned, said a police source. “They have started returning home. The leaders have said that they will now strategise the protest further, but many of them have started leaving, probably thinking that they may get detained for Tuesday’s violence,” the source said.
On Wednesday, the Delhi Police Mahasangh, led by former ACP Ved Bhushan, has called for a silent protest against the farmers who resorted to violence at ITO injuring many police personnel. The protest will be held at Shahidi Park in ITO, and is expected to see 1,500 family members of police personnel participate.
Also read: Police actions led to anti-social elements joining protest — farmer leader Rakesh Tikait
Exercise to identify violators
The police has begun the exercise to identify the violators and leaders who led the mob into Delhi. Video footage from the rally is being used to identify these people, including those who led the mob towards Red Fort.
“We have identified a few people, including the man who climbed the pole to hoist the religious flag. These people are from Tarn Taran in Punjab. Process is on to identify more people,” a second source said.
The 22 FIRs have been registered for rioting, damaging public property and stopping public servants from doing their duty, among other sections under the Indian Penal Code. All FIRs have been registered against “unknown persons”.
Movement allowed amid barricading
The traffic police too have made elaborate arrangements across the capital to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
Taj Hassan, special commissioner of police, Traffic, told ThePrint that barricades have been placed across the capital, which may slow down movement a little, but there are no travel restrictions.
“Barricades for security checks have been placed across the capital, but we will withdraw some of them during the day, depending upon the law and order situation. There are no restrictions on movement of public transport or heavy vehicles,” Hassan said.
“All public transport is plying and there is no restriction in movement of the general public,” he added.
Also read: Fresh talks offer ‘unlikely’ now — Modi govt could harden stand on farm laws after violence