Chaos at ITO signifies how violence spiralled: Many didn’t care about route plan, Delhi was vacation spot

Under the long-lasting Mahatma Gandhi portrait on the outdated Delhi Police headquarters at ITO, violence lasted for greater than two hours as 1000’s of protesters — some on foot and others on tractors — clashed with police personnel who, severely outnumbered, resorted to teargas shelling and lathi cost.
A 27-year-old farmer died close to Ram Charan Agarwal Chowk, allegedly when his tractor overturned, whereas dozens have been injured on each side.

Most of the group that gathered at ITO had arrived from Ghazipur border after refusing to comply with the rally route of Hapur road-KGP Expressway. Protesters had earlier damaged by way of barricades and reached Akshardham just a few kilometres away.

At ITO, each side engaged in a short dialogue in entrance of the outdated PHQ, however with farmers adamant on going to Red Fort and police wanting them to remain put, the scenario quickly escalated. Amid the conflict, a small group of farmers on tractors could possibly be seen driving recklessly as policemen scrambled out of the way in which.
Around 1.30 pm, Navreet Singh (27), a farmer from UP’s Bajpur, was discovered lifeless. Several protesters on the spot gathered round his physique. Hundreds who had gathered then uprooted roadblocks and railings close to ITO Metro station whereas sloganeering towards police earlier than taking a proper in the direction of Red Fort, whilst police groups tried to cease them on 4 roads.
Those who stayed again positioned Singh’s physique at Ram Charan Agarwal Chowk and sat round it. Manjeet Singh Binder (22), a farmer from Bilaspur, sustained accidents to his proper leg. His dad and mom and fellow farmers sat beside him, shouting slogans towards the Centre and the police.
“Is this how police treat protesters? Will they kill all of us for protesting? I was among the first group of farmers to reach ITO. We weren’t told there are other routes. We wanted to march to Red Fort, so we came here and told the police that we want to protest there. But they resorted to lathi charge. A teargas shell hit my leg. I fell down and a group of three-four policemen thrashed me with lathis. Farmers then picked up the shells and threw them back,” claimed Binder.
Several protesters mentioned that they had not too long ago joined the agitation at Ghazipur, the place farmers predominantly from Uttar Pradesh had gathered, and claimed they have been unaware of the proposed route map for the rally.

Pooja (27), a farmer from Bilaspur, instructed The Indian Express, “More than 100 people from my village joined the protest on Sunday. We were told police had allowed us to march in Delhi. Police should have made more arrangements and been patient with protesters. We don’t know who planned what. We wanted to go to Rajpath so we came here. Later, some of my friends went to Red Fort but due to the lathi charge, I had to stay here.”
Rohit Jakhad, member of the Rashtriya Jat Mahasabha, mentioned, “We started the march late from Ghazipur border and followed others. We always wanted to march at Rajpath or Red Fort. When a group of farmers turned towards Akshardham, we joined them. Police never discussed the terms with us. Our farmer brothers have sacrificed their lives and this march was for them.”