The Delhi Police on Wednesday said that the farmers violated the agreed upon conditions for the tractor march and that is what led to violence in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Police Commissioner S.N. Shrivastava said that the police personnel had all the options, but chose to show restraint and that no one would be spared for their hand in the violence.
The Delhi Police chief said that given the highly security sensitive Republic Day military parade, the farmer leaders were given the option to hold their rally at the Kundli-Manesar Expressway with an assurance of security and media coverage. This, though, was rejected by the farmers as they wanted to enter Delhi on the day.
“So, we agreed on three routes–first from Singhu which had a distance of 63 km, second from Tikri border for 74 km and from Ghazipur for allowed 44 km. Delhi was celebrating Republic Day so we laid down terms and conditions when granting the permission,” said Shrivastava.
He added that the farmers were told to start the rally after 12 noon, after the military parade in central Delhi was over and not to carry any firearms or swords. There also was agreement that the number of tractors would be capped at 5,000.
“After giving written permission with these conditions, they gave an undertaking. On the evening of 25 January, though, we learnt that they are not agreeing to these conditions. Hardliners had taken control of the situation and on the 26th morning they started their march at 7:30 am from Singhu Border,” the Delhi Police chief said.
“Leaders like Satnam Singh Pannu gave provocative speeches at Mukarba chowk. Darshan Pal Singh also violated the agreement. From Ghazipur, they started their movement from 8:30 am while the timing given to them was 12 noon,” he added.
He further revealed that farmer leaders were the ones instigating their supporters and they were the ones who were refusing to move on the predetermined routes. “We have videos which show how leaders were instigating farmers. From Ghazipur, many from Rakesh Tikait’s team broke barriers and marched forward,” said Shrivastava.
The Delhi top cop lauded the police force for showing restraint during the violence and said, “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.”
The police chief gave out details of the damages, wherein 394 police personnel were injured along with 30 police vehicles. He said that many police personnel were in the ICU. “Delhi Police has registered more than 25 criminal cases. No one will be spared. We have video footage of the violence and are using facial recognition software. The Delhi Police Crime Branch, Special Cell, district police will all work on this case. An SIT will be formed and IPC Section 124A may also be filed for disrespecting the national Tricolour,” said the Commissioner.
While 50 individuals have been detained in connection with the violence, 19 accused have been arrested so far.