Farmers Tractor Rally LIVE UPDATES: Red Fort breached; 83 police personnel injured

Levying serious allegations, Punjab Congress MP Ravneet Bittu on Tuesday, claimed that actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu and 'hundreds of his supporters' maligned the peaceful farmers' protest by hoisting two flags - one saffron and one yellow bearing a holy Sikh symbol atop the dome of the Red Fort. Bittu alleged that 'infiltration into the protest' had happened on a large scale. He also stated that Sidhu had took over the main stage at Singhu border along with Lakha Sidhana at 12:30 PM Monday night - announcing to hold a rally 'inside Delhi'. Bittu has recently been rebuffed by farmers at Singhu border when he tried to join their protests.

"Farmers were getting ready for the rally on Monday, when Deep Sidhu captured stage at 12:30 late at night. Deep Sidhu and hundreds of his people have done this to malign the protest of farmers. While infiltrations happen in big agitations, this was on large scale.  It is a shame for us that people have taken advantage of this. Why didn't govt arrest a person who they have charged under NIA? The protests will go on and govt should send us back after making us happy," said Bittu. Several protestors clashed with police across Delhi and then breached the Red Fort planting two flags - one saffron and one yellow bearing a holy Sikh symbol atop the dome of the Fort. 

Meanwhile, farm leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni lashed out at Sidhu stating that what he had done trying to create disturbances. Terming him a 'government's dalaal', Chaduni said that he has been trying to create disturbances, always speaking against farm leaders. Chaduni added that the unions had never planned to go to the Red Fort, claming the administration had committed a big mistake by not taking appropriate action against him. 

"Giving a communal colour to whatever has happened today is deeply condemnable. Our movement is a farmer's movement and not a religious movement. Whatever Deep Singh Sidhu has done is extremely deplorable, I think he is govt's "dalaal". He has been trying to create disturbances, always speaks against the farmer leaders," said  Chaduni.

He added, "We had no plan of going to Red Fort.  We strongly condemn his activities. No one should come under any influence. We condemn the Delhi administration and govt for firing on farmers. The administration has committed a big mistake by not giving proper appropriate." Deep Sidhu has posted a video on his Facebook page saying, “We have only hoisted the Nishan Sahib at the Red Fort while exercising our democratic right to protest,” adding that he had not removed the tricolour flag atop Red Fort.

It didn't look like farmers' stir. It was an act by terrorists. Terrorists, Khalisthanis& Congress workers are behind this. People who hate PM Modi attempted to destabilise govt but failed & are frustrated. They have been involved in this kind of acts: Karnataka Minister BC Patil

30 police personnel including SHO of Mohan Garden Police Station sustained serious injuries in the violence in Dwarka district during today's tractor rally. Three FIRs are being registered in this regard: Delhi Police

Delhi police sources estimate 8 DTC buses, 17 private vehicle vandalised in the violnt clashes across the city. Police also reveal that 88 barricade, 4 containers have been damaged while 40 police personnel in Eastern range & over 90 injured in Red Fort.

83 Delhi Police personnel were injured in the violence that broke out during the farmers' tractor rally against the three agrarian laws. 

In wake of the farmer rally violence, the Haryana government has suspended mobile internet services, SMS services and dongle services provided on all mobile networks except voice calls in 3 districts- Sonipat, Palwal and Jhajjar till 5 pm on January 27. 

In a statement, the US Embassy in India advised the personnel of the US government to avoid travelling to areas which witnessed clashes between the farmers and the Delhi Police. Moreover, they have been urged to stay at home and exercise caution if they are in the vicinity of any large groups, protests, or demonstrations. 

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar while chairing a high-level meeting directed all Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police to remain on ‘high alert’ to ensure that the law and order situation in the state is not disturbed at any cost. 

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called off the Kisan Republic Day Parade with immediate effect and has appealed to all participants to immediately return back to their respective protest sites. SKM announced that the movement will continue peacefully and further steps will be discussed and decided soon.

In view of the violent incidents in several areas during the ‘Farmers Tractor March’ in Delhi on Republic Day, Director General of Police of Haryana, Manoj Yadava issued a ‘high alert’ directing all district police chiefs to be extremely vigilant

Reacting to the seige on Red Fort, All India Kisan Sabha general secretary said, "Many attempts were made to blame the movement, for 7 months this has remained a peaceful movement. We are very careful that we do not become a problem. But unfortunately, some groups of criminals came inside to create a disturbance. All the crores of agitating farmers will hate these criminals. Inspite of our efforts to keep peaceful, this has happened.

He added, "How come people storm into red fort, and raise flags while the police watches like mute spectator? I think there is connivance by some people in the govt. Today we have taken lesson from these incidents, and after discussions in meeting we will be more careful."

In view of the violent incidents in several areas during the ‘Farmers Tractor March’ in Delhi on Republic Day, Director General of Police of Haryana, Manoj Yadava issued a ‘high alert’ directing all district police chiefs to be extremely vigilant

Reacting to the seige on Red Fort, All India Kisan Sabha general secretary said, "Many attempts were made to blame the movement, for 7 months this has remained a peaceful movement. We are very careful that we do not become a problem. But unfortunately, some groups of criminals came inside to create a disturbance. All the crores of agitating farmers will hate these criminals. Inspite of our efforts to keep peaceful, this has happened.

He added, "How come people storm into red fort, and raise flags while the police watches like mute spectator? I think there is connivance by some people in the govt. Today we have taken lesson from these incidents, and after discussions in meeting we will be more careful."

New Delhi PRO Eish Singhal says, " Some routes were decided after talks with protestors. Protestors have done some violent incidents. Police has acted with a lot of restraint and patience. Appeal the protestors to take the decided routes only."

Delhi Police issues statement:

For today's tractor rally, the Delhi Police worked with the farmers as per the conditions and made necessary arrangements. The Delhi Police showed considerable restraint till the end, but the protesting farmers defied the conditions and started their march well ahead of schedule and the  chose the path of violence and sabotage. In view of this, the Delhi Police took necessary steps with restraint to maintain law and order. This movement has caused great damage to public property and many police personnel have also been injured. There is an appeal to the agitators to leave the path of violence and make peace and return to the path they had set

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla briefed Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation in Delhi where the farmers' tractor rally against the agri laws turned violent, officials said.  The home secretary met the home minister and apprised him about the prevailing situation in the national capital and the steps being taken by the Delhi Police to maintain peace, an official said. A few other officials were also present at the meeting.

Sources report that Delhi CP has called for more than a dozen companies of para  military forces as farmers throng at Red Fort

AAP issues statement

We strongly condemn the violence seen in today's protest. It is regrettable that the Central govt allowed the situation to deteriorate to such an extent. The movement has been peaceful for the last two months. Farmer leaders have said that those who indulged in violence today were not part of the movement and were external elements. Whoever they were, the violence has certainly weakened the movement which was going on so peacefully and in a disciplined manner.

Punjab CM condemns violence

Thousands of farmers, who had arrived in Mumbai from parts of Maharashtra to protest against Centre's farm laws, left for their homes after elderly woman protester hoisted national flag at Azad Maidan: AIKS

Home Secretary, Intelligence Bureau Chief and Joint Secretary attend high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Commissioner Delhi reaches Red Fort as farmers continue to throng Red Fort

Farmers' protest: Traders' association says Connaught Place to remain closed following Delhi Police advisory

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday appealed to the protesting farmers to maintain peace and not resort to violence.  He said there was no place for violence in a democracy. The farmers' movement has been peaceful till now. I appeal to the farmers to maintain peace and not to commit violence. Violence has no place in democracy, Gehlot tweeted.

We thank farmers for the unprecedented participation in today's Farmers Republic Day Parade. We also condemn and regret the undesirable and unacceptable events that have taken place today and dissociate ourselves from those indulging in such acts: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

Despite all our efforts, some orgs & individuals violated route & indulged in condemnable acts. Anti-social elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement. We've always held that peace is our biggest strength& any violation would hurt the movement: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

The protesting farmers on January 26 entered the national capital from three routes emanating from the Singhu border, the Tikri border and the Ghazipur border, as Delhi Police gave their nod for a peaceful protest. However, despite Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's assurance and Delhi Police's conditions for the tractor march, violence broke out as the farmers entered Delhi. The protesting farmers with their tractors broke the barricades and cemented barriers at Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk, prompting Delhi Police to use tear gas shell against them. 

The situation quickly devolved to a point where the police were outnumbered, even as the farmers overran Delhi and a number of its monuments, capped off by the shameful visuals of farmers breaching Red Fort's ramparts and planting their flag atop its podium. The Delhi Police had allowed the tractor rally to take place from noon to 5 PM, however, when the protesters forcefully tried to enter the capital, Delhi Police attempted to persuade the farmers to begin the rally as per plan - after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade, which led to clashes. Farmers were seen riding bikes brandishing swords, sticks and vandalised a bus, drove tractors in full speed towards the police personnel who were blocking them.

In a shocking development on India's 72nd Republic Day, one of the protesting farmers breached the Red Fort and unfurled a saffron flag and a yellow flag bearing the holy Sikh symbol on Tuesday, as the farmers' tractor rally turned violent at several points in Delhi.

Farmers' Republic Day parade plan

After 11 rounds of Centre-farmer talks, the two parties failed to reach a middle ground on Friday after a five-hour meeting with the associations refusing to agree to the Centre's proposal for suspending the implementation of the aforesaid legislation for one and a half years. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar categorically said that the Union government is ready for another meeting only if the farmers want to discuss this proposal. Meanwhile, the protesting farmers have come to an agreement with the Delhi police to hold their Republic Day tractor rallies beginning from Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders - proceed towards Haryana or Uttar Pradesh before returning back to the starting points covering 62 km, 60 km and 46 km respectively. 

Darshan Pal, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgil, and Joginder Singh Ugraha have been asked to coordinate with the police during the rally. The unions have instructed that the parade should be carried out peacefully, no display of political flags, no loudspeakers without permission, no trolleys, animals, carts, no weapons or firearms. Moreover, the Delhi Police mandated that a maximum of 5000 persons with 5000 tractors can participate in the rally on Republic Day from noon to 5 pm. Protests have continued for 62 days till date.