In a security breach, a group of men claiming to be members of the Punjab Youth Congress unit set fire to a tractor on Rajpath near the India Gate gardens on Monday morning in support of the Farmers’ agitation against laws enacted by the central government claim that it will undermine the agricultural sector.
The police arrested five people and others are being searched. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
Police said the incident took place around 7:30 am when a group of 20-25 men arrived at Rajpath in different vehicles and a truck, on which the tractor was loaded.
Also Read: Punjab Prepares To Move SC On Farm Laws As Upset Intensifies
Witnesses and bystanders told police the men pulled the tractor out of the truck and set it on fire when it overturned.
“According to the people who were there, the men chanted slogans likeJai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Bhagat Singh Amar Rahein in support of the farmers’ agitation and also carried effigies, which were hung from the street light poles. They then went live on social media and clicked on group photos with the tractor on fire, ”said a police officer.
Soon after, a police patrol arrived at the scene. “Upon seeing the police, the men who had set fire to the tractor fled. Reinforcements were called in and other police vehicles in the area were alerted. Later, the fire was put out and five of the men arrested. The charred remains of the tractor were removed from the road, ”said the policeman.
A video of the group setting the tractor on fire was widely circulated on social media. Some police officers who had arrived at the scene were also seen standing near the tractor that was on fire.
Police said all the men arrested are from Punjab. They were identified as Manjot Singh, 36, Sahib, 28, and Sumit Pal, 28, from Mohali, Raman Deep Singh Sindhu, 28, from Mansa, and Rahul Kumar, 28, from Ludhiana.
“We had raised money to buy the tractor. This was a symbolic protest to send a loud and clear message to the government in the Center that they should speak to farmers, ”said Brinder Singh Dhillon, president of the Punjab Youth Congress. “They (the Center) have not only trampled on the federal structure, but these three pieces of legislation will also destroy the farmers of my state,” he added.
Deputy Police Commissioner (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said his men had arrived at the scene on time and the fire was contained before the tractor was completely destroyed.
.
