LIVE: Yogendra Yadav, Rakesh Tikait, Patkar among 37 leaders named in FIR

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Protesting farmers have announced a foot march to Parliament on February 1, when the Union Budget is presented

Farmers' protest LIVE updates Day 63: Two farmer unions on Wednesday withdrew from the ongoing agitation on Delhi's borders against the three farm laws, a day after violence broke out in the national capital during the tractor parade.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has detained 200 people in connection with the violence that broke out in various parts of Delhi during the farmers' tractor rally on Tuesday. In a statement, the Delhi Police on Wednesday said that the "detained persons will be arrested soon."

Six Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and five police vehicles were damaged in the violence that broke out at ITO during the farmers' tractor parade in the national capital on Republic Day, according to an FIR registered in connection with the incident. It also claimed that several police personnel were injured and 70 iron barricades damaged when over 10,000 protesting farmers on nearly 600 tractors stormed the area.

The tractor parade on Tuesday that was to highlight the demands of the farmer unions to repeal three new agri laws dissolved into anarchy on the streets of the city as tens of thousands of protesters broke through barriers, fought with police, overturned vehicles and hoisted a religious flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort.

Farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have camped outside New Delhi for over two months to protest against three laws that open up India’s agriculture markets. Nine rounds of talks with farmers’ unions have failed to end the protests, as farm leaders rejected the government’s offer to delay the laws for 18 months, making a push for repeal instead.

The protesting farmers have also announced a foot march to Parliament on February 1, when the annual Budget is presented, to press for their demands including a repeal of the three new agriculture laws.

3:27 AM

Haryana govt extends suspension of mobile internet services in 3 districts till Thursday

The Haryana government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile internet services in Sonipat, Jhajjar and Palwal districts till 5 pm on January 28 "to prevent disturbance of peace and public order", an official statement said.
 

The mobile internet services were suspended in these districts on Tuesday as a violent farmers' protest rocked neighbouring Delhi.
 

"The Haryana Government has extended the suspension of telecom services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services, etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of districts of Sonipat, Palwal and Jhajjar for next 24 hours till 5 pm on January 28," the statement said.
 

"This order has been issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of these three districts of Haryana and shall be in force with immediate effect," it said.
 

In view of the violence in Delhi, Haryana Home Secretary Rajeev Arora had on Tuesday issued the order to snap mobile internet services in the three districts, which are in close proximity of Delhi, to "stop the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter" for mobilisation of antisocial elements who can disturb peace, cause loss of life and damage to property.
 

3:22 AM

Actor Deep Sidhu, Lakha Sidhana named in Delhi Police FIR related to Red Fort incidents

The Delhi Police has named actor Deep Sidhu and gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana in an FIR in connection with Red Fort incidents, officials said on Wednesday.
 

The Delhi Police has registered the case at Kotwali police station of North district under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other legislations, they said.
 

Provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and the Arms Act have been added in the FIR.
 

The police has invoked IPC sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 152 (assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder), they said.
 

11:55 PM

Delhi Police issues notice to farmer leader Darshan Pal, says he acted irresponsibly during tractor rally

Delhi Police issued notice to farmer leader Darshan Pal over tractor rally violence, asked why legal action should not be taken against him, according to PTI. In notice to Darshan Pal, Delhi Police said vandalisation at Red Fort was most deplorable and anti-national act.

Further, Delhi Police said that he and other farmer leaders acted in very irresponsible manner during tractor parade.

11:43 PM

Delhi violence: Yogendra Yadav, Rakesh Tikait, Patkar among 37 leaders named in FIR

A day after violence during the tractor parade, the Delhi Police has named 37 farmer leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Yogendra Yadav and Medha Patkar, in an FIR that mentioned charges of rioting, criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder among others, officials said. The action against the farmer leaders came as Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava alleged that several of them made inflammatory speeches and were involved in the violence.

Police said that the role of farmer leaders will be investigated in connection with the violence that left 394 security personnel injured and a protestor dead. So far 25 FIRs have been filed, they said.According to the FIR registered at Samaypur Badli police station against unknown persons, the protestors robbed the official pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition along with two tear gas guns during the violence.

The farmer leaders named in the FIR include Medha Patkar, Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Chanduni, Rakesh Tikait, Kulwant Singh Sandhu, Satnam Singh Pannu, Joginder Singh Ugraha, Surjeet Singh Phool, Jagjeet Singh Dalewal, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Harinder Singh Lakhoval. Those found guilty would be punished strictly, an official said.

The FIR mentions multiple IPC sections, including 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 353 (assault/criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy).

11:03 PM

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party condemns violence during farmers' tractor rally

The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and the Rajasthan Sikh Society on Wednesday condemned the violence during a tractor rally by farmers in Delhi. RLP convenor Hanuman Beniwal said his party is in favour of strengthening democracy and non-violent movement. "RLP is in favour of strengthening democratic values and non-violent movement. If any anti-social elements have done wrong then such people cannot be in favour of farmers," Beniwal said in a statement.

Rajasthan Sikh Samaj president Ajaypal Singh and former chairman of Rajasthan Minorities Commission Jasbir Singh condemned the attack on police personnel by some anti-social elements and alleged insult to the national flag. In the statement, these leaders urged Akal Takht to issue orders for boycott of those involved in the violence.

8:56 PM

Farmers' agitation: Bharatiya Kisan Union postpones rally to Parliament on Budget Day

8:34 PM

Those involved in violence during tractor rally won't be spared, farm leaders will be questioned: Delhi Police

Those involved in violence during tractor rally will not be spared, farmer leaders will be questioned: Delhi Police Commissioner

 

8:34 PM

394 personnel injured, 30 police vehicles damaged in violence during tractor rally by farmers: Delhi Police

394 police personnel were injured, 30 police vehicles damaged in violence during tractor rally by farmers: Delhi Police Commissioner

8:33 PM

SAD reiterates support to farm stir, but says won't tolerate attack on Constitution, institutions

A day after violence in the farmers' tractor march, the Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday said it will not tolerate any attempt of attack on the democratic institutions or the Constitution of India by those who wish to subvert this just struggle of the country's farmers, PTI report said.

 

While reiterating its support to farmers' demand for repealing the three farm laws, the SAD in a statement issued by its leader and Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral said,"We appeal to the protesters to remain peaceful, non-violent and disciplined. We will strongly raise the voice of our farmers in the upcoming Parliament Session."

 

The statement from SAD, an erstwhile ally of the ruling BJP and a constituent of the NDA government, came a day after tens of thousands of farmers broke barriers to storm the national capital on Tuesday, during their tractor parade to highlight their demands.

8:11 PM

Farmers brought forward aggressive and militant elements: Delhi Police

8:10 PM

LIVE: Delhi Police addresses media over violence during farmers' tractor rally

8:08 PM

Farmer leaders considering postponement of Feb 1 foot march to Parliament in wake of violence

Protesting farmer leaders are considering postponement their foot march to Parliament on February 1 against the three farm laws in wake of the violence in the national capital during the tractor parade on Republic Day, PTI reported. A senior farmer leader said the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is an umbrella body of the protesting unions, will take a final call on postponement of the February 1 foot march.

 

The tractor parade on Tuesday that was to highlight the demands of the farmer unions to repeal three new agri laws dissolved into anarchy on the streets of the city as tens of thousands of protesters broke through barriers, fought with police, overturned vehicles and hoisted a religious flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort.

 

"In view of violence during tractor parade, we are considering to postpone our proposed foot march to Parliament, which was scheduled to be take place on February 1. However, a final will be taken by the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha," said a senior member of the umbrella body.

7:17 PM

Meeting of SC's committee on farmers' issue postponed till January 29

The meeting of the committee constituted by the Supreme Court on farmers' issues that was scheduled to be held on Wednesday was postponed till January 29. This came a day after after violence broke out during the farmers' tractor rally in different parts of the national capital. The Supreme Court on January 12, stayed the implementation of three farm laws and asked the committee formed by it concerning the three farm laws to submit its report within two months, PTI reported.

 

"The committee should file the report within two months before the Supreme Court," the three-judge bench of the Apex Court, led by CJI SA Bobde said in its order. The court also expressed hope that the farmers' protests will be called off after it stayed the operation of the new farm laws.

 

The committee consisted of Bhartiya Kisan Union President Bhupinder Singh Mann, Shetkari Sanghatana president Anil Ghanwat, and agri-economists Ashok Gulati and Pramod Kumar Joshi. However, shortly after it was formed, Bhupinder Singh recused himself from the committee and said, "I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab".

7:02 PM

Plea in SC seeks inquiry commission to look into farmer violence on R-Day

A plea was filed on Wednesday in the Supreme Court seeking setting up of a commission, headed by a retired apex court judge, to inquire the violence during the protesting farmers' tractor rally in the national capital on the Republic Day.

 

The plea has also sought direction to the concerned authority to lodge First Information Report (FIR) under relevant penal provisions against the individuals or organisations responsible for the violence and causing dishonour of the National Flag on January 26.

 

The tractor parade on Tuesday that was to highlight the demands of farmer unions to repeal three new agri laws dissolved into anarchy on the streets of Delhi as thousands of protesters broke through barriers, fought with the police, overturned vehicles and hoisted a religious flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort. READ ON...

 

6:48 PM

Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan withdraws from farmers' protest

The Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKMS) on Wednesday withdrew from the farmers protest on the borders of the national capital against the Centre's farm laws, ANI reported. Addressing a press conference at the Ghazipur border, convener of the Sangathan, VM Singh said that they cannot carry the protest forward with people whose direction is different.

 

The decision came a day after violence in Delhi during the tractor march carried out by farmer unions.

 

"We can't carry forward a protest with someone whose direction is not with the issue. I wish them the best but VM Singh and Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan are withdrawing from this protest right away. This is the decision of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan and not of the AIKSCC (All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee). This is the decision of VM Singh, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan and all office bearers," Singh said.