Rakesh Tikait accuses Delhi Police of conspiracy over Republic Day violence

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday accused  Delhi Police of conspiring Republic Day violence that took place last month. While going to Jind to attend a Mahapanchayat, Tikait told ANI, "We have been holding panchayats for last 35 years, protests are organized at Jantar Mantar but did any farmer organization reach Parliament? A man was misled, an anuncement was made and after 13 hours a religious flag was hoisted at Red Fort. This is being investigated."

He furr said, " Delhi Police has conspired to do this and it is main culprit. It barricaded route allotted to us for tractor rally and opened Delhi giving way to farmers to enter national capital."

While discussing Mahapanchayat, he stated, "Our main aim is to visit vills and gar ir support. Such panchayats will be held across country until government accepts our demands. If government does t fulfil our demands, we will implement our proposal of garing 40 lakh tractors and take out 'yatras' across country to protest against government."

READ | Rihanna Enters Farmers' Protest Fray; Remarks On Current Escalation At Delhi's Borders

On Tuesday, Tikait said that farmer protests will go on till October-vember adding that headquarters for protests would be Singhu border. This statement came after iron nails, barbed wires, and cemented barricades were put at borders surrounding national capital, fortification, an aftermath of violence that was witnessed on Republic Day and following days at Singhu border. Moreover, heavy security has been deployed at borders, with ACPs being briefed to handle any form of anarchy or attempts to enter city. Officers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are also said to work in tandem to increase security around Delhi. 

Various opposition parties and ir leaders have rushed to support Tikat and to express solidarity as  issue spiralled into a massive movement in country. Politicians including Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi among several ors dialled Farmer Union leader and offered help to intensify movement. 

READ | After Rihanna, Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Extends Support To Farmers' Stir In India

Delhi borders fortified 

On February 1, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava visited Ghazipur border to inspect security arrangements. After his visit, workers under watch of police personnel on Monday hooked iron rods between two rows of cement barriers on a flank of main highway at Singhu border to furr restrict movement of protesters agitating against new Farm Laws at site. Ar portion of highway at Delhi-Haryana border has been blocked with a makeshift cement wall built in place. This also comes in anticipation of a countrywide 'chakka jam' on February 6 which was anunced by farmer leaders on Monday who vowed to block national and state highways for three hours in protest against Internet ban in areas near ir agitation sites.

READ | Rakesh Tikait Asserts 'Farmer Protests To Continue Till October, Singhu Border Will Be HQ'

Republic Day Violence 

As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day, farmers' tractor rally which was planned on nine pre-decided routes turned violent at points. Some farmers forcibly entered Central Delhi, clashing with Delhi police and planted flags at Red Fort. entire area saw chaotic scenes for hours as protesters threw stones at police and damd vehicles. Police personnel tried to control mob by baton-charging m and lobbing tear gas shells.

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(With ANI Inputs)