News Analysis India

Tag: Delhi police

  • Farmer unions demand high-level judicial inquiry into FIRs registered over R-Day violence

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Farmer unions have demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the violence that took place in Delhi on Republic Day. They said that 16 persons are still missing and alleged that Delhi Police is trying to implicate farmers in false cases.

    “Initially, 122 farmers were booked, most of them on charges of attempt to murder and dacoity. The purpose of booking them on these charges is to sabotage the agitation and make sure that farmers are behind bars for long… The police are trying to spread terror,” said Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s legal cell head Prem Singh Bhangu.

    ALSO READ| Punjab farmer part of protests at Singhu dies of cardiac arrest

    Bhangu and advocate Kuldeep Singh demanded a juridical probe by a retired Supreme Court or high court judge. “The innocent are being framed in false cases,” they alleged.  The farmer leaders said they visited Tihar Jail on Friday to speak to those arrested. They informed that the Morcha has arranged Rs 2000 per heed for canteen expenses for the persons held there.

    They said it was the responsibility of Delhi Police to trace the 16 missing. “These people went missing from the national capital. We have sent a written representation, but the police are keeping mum. Of the 16, nine are from Haryana, one from Rajasthan and rest from Punjab. Of the 122 in custody, 10 have been granted bail,” said Bhangu.

    ALSO READ| Farm laws: Footfall at mahapanchayats emboldens unions

    Accusing the police of harassing the farmers, the unions have promised to stand by them. Rajinder Singh, member of the Morcha’s legal team, said that farmers can approach their legal cell for assistance. He said that 122 farmers had been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with 14 of the 44 FIRs. “We are still to get copies of 22 FIRs. Two farmers went to police after getting notices and were arrested. We will provide legal and financial aid to the arrested farmers,” said Singh.

  • Delhi Police takes Deep Sidhu to Red Fort to recreate vandalism scene on R-Day 

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on Saturday took actor-activist Deep Sidhu and another accused Iqbal Singh to Red Fort to recreate and ascertain the scene of events that unfolded there on Republic Day during the farmer’s tractor parade, said police officials.

    Before Red Fort, the investigating team took Sidhu and Singh to the routes that they took to enter the national capital and reach the Red Fort, said an official. The team will inspect the site to ascertain and corroborate the route taken by them, what happened, how the activities and other things such as clashes and violence unfolded at the Red Fort on January 26 when the violence broke out and religious flags were unfurled by the protestors including the accused.  

    According to police, Sidhu was a prominent player behind the violence. He instigated youngsters with his provocative speeches even when he was hiding from the law. He was arrested on February 9 from Haryana’s Karnal bypass by a Special Cell team led by DCP Sanjeev Yadav. On Tuesday, he was sent to seven-day police custody by a city court.

    Sidhu and Singh were carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 on them, respectively. Singh was arrested from Punjab’s Hoshiyarpur. Delhi Police has also announced a reward of Rs 6 lakh each on other absconding prime suspects —Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh, Gurjant Singh, Buta Singh—in the Red Fort violence case. 

    Violent clashes broke out at ITO and Red Fort on January 26 when thousands of farmers with tractors entered the city deviating from the scheduled route given to them by the Delhi Police. Over 500 police personnel and about 10 farmers were injured in the clashes while one protestor died.

    Three more arrested in Burari case

    Three men have been arrested in connection with the violence during the farmers’ tractor parade in north Delhi’s Burari area on Republic day, police said on Saturday. The accused – Sukhmeet Singh, Gundeep Singh and Harvinder Singh – were identified with the help of CCTV footage and technical investigation.

    Sukhmeet and Gundeep are residents of Hari Nagar in west Delhi while Harvinder is a resident of Libaspur area. The police have arrested 14 people so far in connection with the violence in Burari.

  • Accused Sukhdev Singh visited Singhu Border, Punjab after Republic Day violence

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Sukhdev Singh, an accused in Republic Day violence in the national capital visited the Singhu border after the incident and later went to Punjab, informed Delhi Police sources.

    He was one of the prime accused who participated in the 26 January violence at Red Fort.

    “He was present at the Red Fort till around 10 PM on the day of the violence and went to Singhu border late night,” informed Delhi Police sources.

    Delhi Police Crime Branch had arrested Sukhdev Singh from Chandigarh on Sunday.

    According to Delhi Police, Singh was leading the mob at the Red Fort and his role in the violence was found to be very active. Notably, a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced on him.

    On Republic Day, protestors did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police, and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers’ tractor rally. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.

    Police had also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for the arrest of Jajbir Singh, Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh, and Iqbal Singh for their alleged involvement in the January 26 violence, according to the Delhi Police.

    Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.  

  • Case registered against Haryanvi singer Sapna Chaudhary for cheating, breach of trust

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing has registered a case against Haryanvi singer and dancer Sapna Choudhary and others on charges of cheating and breach of trust, Delhi Police has said.

    This comes after a celebrity management company, that was managing Sapna, filed a complaint against her and several others including her mother and brother for criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation of funds.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), Pawan Chawla, Director of P&M Movies Pvt. Ltd, who is engaged in the business of celebrity management, filed a complaint against Sapna and several others, claiming that she broke the terms of the contract signed between them.

    As per the FIR, the complaint claimed that the popular Haryanvi singer broke an artist management agreement, wherein it was clarified that she would not be working with any other company nor joining any other company, nor have direct or indirect contact with any client of the complainant.

    The FIR stated that Sapna breached the agreement and undertook business activities against the terms of the contract.

    “The preliminary enquiry was conducted into this joint complaint by the undersigned and prima facie, enquiry discloses that the alleged persons mentioned in the complaint, in the conspiracy with each other have cheated complainants by not returning the loan amount obtained through loan cum trust agreements etc. Prima facie, an offence u/s 406/420/120-B IPC is made out,” the FIR copy said.  

  • Delhi Police acted swiftly, in impartial manner during Delhi riots: Govt to Lok Sabha

    Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said that proportionate and appropriate actions were taken by the Delhi Police to control the situation.

  • Republic Day violence: Notice served on gurdwara functionary in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit

    By PTI

    SHAHJAHANPUR: On the lookout for those responsible for the violence at the Red Fort during a farmers’ tractor parade on the Republic Day in the national capital, a team of the Delhi Police on Saturday served a notice on a functionary of a gurdwara in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district.

    The police team arrived at Puranpur adjoining Shahjahanpur and served notice on granthi Gurtej Singh, asking him to come to Delhi for recording his statement, area SHO Suresh Kumar Singh said over the phone.

    The SHO said that the police team served notice on the granthi of a gurdwara in the Ghunghchai chowki area, saying that a tractor from the gurdwara had gone to Delhi. “The team later left for Shahjahanpur,” he said.

    According to locals, the team also visited the house of a farmer, Arshpreet, in Chamrabhoji village under the Khutar area and on failing to find him, pasted a notice there. According to police, people responsible for the Republic Day violence are being traced with the help of video footage.

  • Natonwide ‘chakka jam’ begins across states; farmers in Punjab, Haryana block roads

    By Agencies
    Farmers protesting against the Centre’s new agri laws and other issues blocked roads at several places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday on the call given by the farmers’ unions for a nationwide ‘chakka jam’.

    Farmers’ unions had on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ from 12 noon to 3 pm on February 6 when they would block national and state highways in protest against the Internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.

    The police have stepped up security and made all arrangements for traffic diversion, said officials, adding adequate police personnel were deployed in Punjab and Haryana.

    NH-16 near Hanspal square in #Bhubaneswar being blocked by Navanirman Krushak Sangathan during #chakkajam called by farmers’ union ⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ pic.twitter.com/32ZaA2HkI2
    — TNIE Odisha (@XpressOdisha) February 6, 2021

    Protesting farmers owing allegiance to different farmers’ bodies blocked state and national highways at several places on Saturday, causing inconvenience to commuters.

    Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said they are holding road blockades at 33 places in 15 districts including Sangrur, Barnala and Bathinda in Punjab.

    In the morning, farmers started assembling at their earmarked protest sites for ‘chakka jam’ in both the states.

    “Elders and youth have gathered here to participate in chakka jam. It will be peaceful,” said a protester at the Punjab-Haryana border in Shambhu near Ambala.

    Opposition enforcing the chakka-jam now against the New Farm Bills in Bihar. The Chakka-jam has crippled the vehicular movements.@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard
    — Rajesh K Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) February 6, 2021

    “We want that the government should repeal these three laws as they are not in the interest of the farming community,” said another protester.

    Protesting farmers said emergency vehicles including ambulances and school buses will be allowed during the ‘chakka jam’.

    Thousands of farmers have been protesting since late November at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, demanding a rollback of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

    The Chakka Jam protest is peaceful at Ghazipur border.⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ pic.twitter.com/oYYhdYS2Z9
    — siddhanta mishra (@siddmh_TNIE) February 6, 2021

    The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.

    However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring better opportunities to farmers and introduce new technologies in agriculture.

  • Farmers ‘chakka jam’: Drone cameras deployed at Tikri to monitor situation 

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Drone cameras were deployed at Tikri border on Saturday to monitor the law and order situation in the wake of ‘chakka jam’ call by the farmer unions who were protesting against the farm laws for over two months at the national capital’s border.

    Farmers on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ on February 6. Due to that heavy police personnel deployed across Delhi-NCR including Shahjahanpur (Delhi-Rajasthan) border.

    READ HERE | Chakka jam today outside Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

    Around 50,000 personnel of Delhi Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces deployed in Delhi-NCR region to maintain law and order situation here. At least 12 metro stations have also been put on alert, police said.

    “Around 50,000 personnel of Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces deployed in Delhi-NCR region. At least 12 metro stations in the national capital have been put on alert for closing the entry and exit, in view of any disturbance,” Delhi Police said.

    Meanwhile, security across Delhi tightened today with the deployment of extra forces, putting up multi-layered barricades and barbed wires on the roads ahead of the proposed ‘chakka jam’ by farmer unions.

    Heavy deployment of police personnel seen at Red Fort, as a preventive measure to dispel actions resulting from the calls for ‘chakka jam.’

    READ HERE | Government’s responsibility to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’: Farmer leader 

    Police along with the barricading measures at the Minto Bridge area deployed. The area has been blockaded as a peremptory counter-measure to thwart the calls. Barbed wires placed over police barricades seen in Delhi’s ITO area.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. 

  • Government’s responsibility to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’: Farmer leader 

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Kisan Andolan Committee (KAC) leader Jagtar Singh Bajwa on Saturday said the ‘Chakka Jaam’ will be peaceful, and it is government’s responsibility to ensure that no anti-social elements create violence.

    “Our entire protest so far has been peaceful. The whole farmer fraternity wants to peacefully organise ‘Chakka Jaam’. But the government has to ensure, with the help of its agencies and security forces to prevent rowdy elements are conspiring to create violence, it should be prevented.”

    “We will organise ‘Chakka Jaam’ everywhere in the country barring Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as Tikait announced last evening. We will register our protest against farm laws in front of authorities in these two states by submitting the memorandum,” he added.

    He further said that people from protest camps have gone back to their villages to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’ in their regions.

    READ HERE | Chakka jam today outside Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

    Around 50,000 personnel of Delhi Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces have been deployed in the Delhi-NCR region to maintain law and order. At least 12 metro stations have also been put on alert. Heavy deployment of police personnel was also seen at the Red Fort.

    Farmer unions on Monday announced a countrywide ‘Chakka Jaam’ on February 6 from 12 pm to 3 pm.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. 

  • Stopped at Ghazipur border, Opposition MPs say farmers are ‘denied basic rights’

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In protest against the farm laws, a delegation of 15 MPs from 10 opposition parties, led by Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal, went to Ghazipur border on Thursday. But they were stopped by the police before they could reach the protest site.

    Badal said they were not allowed to cross the barricades and reach the place where protesters have gathered.

    ​“Today, 15 MPs representing different political parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari went to Ghazipur border to express solidarity with the farmers and demand immediate repeal of the three hated farm laws. We also demand an end to atrocities being meted out to peacefully agitating farmers,” she tweeted.

    ​ALSO READ | Please understand farmers’ pain, stop your monologue: Opposition tears into government

    Supriya Sule of NCP, Kanimozhi and Tiruchi Siva from the DMK, Saugata Roy from TMC were part of the delegation. Members of the National Conference, RSP and IUML were also part of it. They later wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that they were not allowed to meet the farmers.

    “In our culture, it is called Annadata Sukhi Bhav. The farmer is our breadwinner. We all feel that for him to be happy, the central government must take a step forward and listen to his grievances and come up with a satisfactory solution,” Sule said.

    “Struggling farmers are denied basic rights, including drinking water and internet service. The government treats them like enemies,” Kanimozhi said, before setting off for the border. The Budget Session of the Parliament has seen vociferous protests from the opposition benches. Government has maintained it is open to talks.

    ​ALSO READ | Farmers’ protest: ‘Calling us terrorists is government’s propaganda to destroy our movement’

    February 6 blockade: Amit Shah reviews safety measures

    Two days ahead of the chakka jam (nationwide roadblock) called by the farmers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had an emergency meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava and Director of Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar to discuss preparations. 

    Farmers have said they would block roads from 12 noon to 3 pm on Saturday. Sources said there are intelligence inputs that anti-social elements may try to create trouble on that day. Security officials have been asked to take measures to ensure there is no repeat of the January 26 violence in Delhi.

    ​The home minister, sources said, has asked top security officials to ensure safety and security of farmers, police and everyone else. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said a three-hour ‘chakka jaam’ will take place on February 6 but not in Delhi.