Delhi police said on Thursday they were investigating a “larger conspiracy and criminal design” behind the violent tractor demonstration by farmers on Republic Day and that this would be done under strict sedition and sedition sections. Law for the Prevention of Illegal Activities. This is in addition to the investigations into the violence itself.
In a statement late Thursday, the Delhi police said their preliminary assessment suggests that “there was a preconceived and well-coordinated plan” to break the terms of the agreement reached between the police and the farmers’ unions on the basis of which allowed the latter to go ahead with the rally.
Police said the protesters planned “to create international embarrassment for the government on Republic Day.” The case is being investigated by the special cell, the anti-terrorist unit of the police. On January 14, the cell filed a complaint against unknown persons for trying to fuel the tension in the peasant protest at three border points of the National Capital. The case was registered on the basis of intelligence information that some terrorist organizations were trying to foment problems. In this case, prominent leaders of agricultural groups will be investigated, and also for their role in the larger conspiracy, police said.
The police will investigate the prominent leaders of the protest and their communication with other organizers since the farm laws were passed in September. The police will also check the source of funds for the protests. Police have already identified at least 300 Pakistani mangoes, who were trying to mobilize protesters at the borders with the hashtag – Support Khalistan. Investigative officials on Thursday collected videos of alleged provocative speeches by peasant leaders at protest sites.
Meanwhile, as they began their investigation into incidents of violence on Republic Day, other Delhi police units on Thursday issued notices to at least 20 leaders of agricultural groups or unions, asking them for the names of those within their groups. who had committed acts of violence on Tuesday. . These notices were also posted at the protest sites. Furthermore, the police also issued surveillance circulars against 44 leaders to ensure that they do not flee the country during the investigation. Those against whom such notices have been issued include Satnam Singh Pannu, Buta Singh Burjgil, Darshan Pal Singh and Rakesh Tikait. As of Thursday night, the police had arrested 52 people for the incidents of violence.
Tikait has denied the accusations that he provoked the protesters. HT contacted the other leaders, but they did not respond despite repeated calls and text messages.
A senior Delhi police officer who did not want to be named said that of the 33 FIRs related to violence during the tractor rally, 9 cases have been transferred to the criminal branch, a specialized investigative unit that is not involved in the routine law and duties of the order.
The 9 FIRs include those registered in relation to violence at Red Fort and ITO. The criminal case recorded — for acts of violence within the Red Fort complex, raising of union and religious flags and attacks against police personnel — is one in which the actor Deep Sidhu and the gangster-turned-activist Lakha Sidhana be investigated. Police said these two were among those allegedly leading the protesters at the Red Fort who desecrated the Red Fort.
Police teams have begun collecting dump data from cellphones that were in the Red Fort area when the violence was at its height. “We will identify the people involved in the violence there. We will analyze your call records. We also have images from several CCTV cameras, ”said a second officer, who did not want to be identified.
The officer added that until Tuesday morning the WhatsApp peasant groups were active and had discussed the siege of the Red Fort in their groups. “Some protesters on horseback and swords had led the violence in the Red Fort. This was a well-planned measure to ensure that the police did not stop them. We have many of them recorded brandishing their swords at the police, ”added the second officer.
The aforementioned police officer said: “So far this case has sections on riots, attempted murder, attempted (commit) wrongful death and criminal conspiracy. It was not a spontaneous move to storm the Red Fort on Republic Day. It was a conspiracy and a planned one. The task force is separately investigating the role of farmer leaders and of people like Deep Sidhu. He will be investigated by both units, one for violence in the Red Fort and the second for the larger conspiracy to initiate violence and embarrass the government. “
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava on Wednesday named four farmer leaders, SS Pannu, Darshan Pal, Buta Singh Burjgil and Rakesh Tikait, for making provocative statements or deviating from prescribed routes for the demonstration, leading to the violence. At least 394 police officers and 10 farmers were injured during the clashes. A farmer died in protests after his tractor overturned after hitting a police barricade at ITO
Tikait, a member of the Samyukth Kisan Morcha, a union of at least 40 farmers’ unions, denied the allegations that they committed acts of violence.
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