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Tag: Red Fort Violence

  • Hours after bail, Deep Sidhu arrested once more for Red Fort violence

    Hours after he was granted bail by a Delhi court docket, Punjabi actor-activist Deep Sidhu, who’s an accused within the Red Fort violence case, was arrested once more by the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on Saturday for allegedly damaging the monument.
    On January 26, lots of of protesting farmers at Delhi’s borders jumped barricades and reached ITO and Red Fort the place they hoisted a spiritual flag and clashed with the police. Sidhu was arrested by the Special Cell on February 9 from Karnal Bypass in Haryana. He has been accused of “orchestrating” the violence and “inciting” farmers to march in direction of Delhi -Red Fort, stated the police.
    On Friday, a decide granted bail to Sidhu in reference to the Red Fort violence; he was knowledgeable about the identical Saturday morning. However, within the afternoon, a crew of the Crime Branch arrested Sidhu from Tihar Jail in reference to an FIR that was lodged late in January by the Archaeological Survey of India.
    A senior police officer from the Crime Branch stated, “During the investigation, we found Sidhu was involved in inciting the mob and also damaged the monument. We arrested him on Saturday.”

    The FIR was registered below sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, the Arms Act, rioting, and so on. It doesn’t title Sidhu or every other protester.
    The complainant, an archaeologist with Archaeological Survey of India, stated a mob of 200-300 protesters got here to Red Fort on the day of the violence.
    “The mob turned to wreck the ticket counters, door body steel detectors and the luggage scanners -the total ticketing counter complicated was vandalised… The big iron door inside Lahori Gate was firmly secured with an iron chain and lock. The mob climbed over this iron door and jumped inside and thereafter broke the chain lock with the assistance of iron instruments they’d carried with them… Once inside, a number of the protestors broke {the electrical} fittings of the illumination lights and the stone casing round them.

    “Three tractors also managed to make their entry into the Red Fort premises. A section of the mob then charged towards the rampart and forcefully hoisted a flag on the pole where the Hon’ble PM hoists the National Flag on the Independence Day. .. Once atop the fort wall, two or three of them (protesters) tied two flags to the pole. In the process… two of the seven small burjis (domes) were removed … a group of them went to the Interpretation Centre building and damaged some panels on the first floor,” reads the FIR.

  • Family of youth who hoisted Nishan Sahib at Red Fort honoured at Golden Temple occasion

    At an occasion held contained in the premises of the Golden Temple Wednesday honoured father of Jugraj Singh, who is needed by the police for hoisting Nishan Sahib on the Red Fort on Republic Day. Organised within the reminiscence of Navreet Singh, who died throughout the tractor march on January 26, the occasion noticed a Sanyukt Kisan Morcha consultant and a number of other members of Sikh outfits in attendance, together with SGPC officers.
    The gathering additionally supported Lakha Sidhana, who has been declared a fugitive by the Delhi Police over the Republic Day violence, however has not been apprehended thus far.

    BKU (Krantikari) president Surjit Singh Phul, who’s a member of the Sanyukt Kissan Morcha (SKM), and SGPC chief secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami have been additionally current when household of Jugraj Singh and others have been honoured.
    “Function was held in memory of Navreet Singh, who died with police bullets during tractor march in Delhi on January 26. The ardaas and shardanjali samagam was organised by Sikh Youth of Punjab to pay homage to all farmers who lost their lives while participating in the agitation,” stated Paramjit Singh Mand of the Sikh Youth of Punjab.
    Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh, MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Member Sanyukt Kissan Morcha (SKM) Surjit Singh Phul, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) basic secretary Prof Mohinder Pal Singh, pupil chief Harman, Advocate Jaswinder Singh additionally attended perform.

    “We vow that sacrifices and loss of lives of farmers during kisan andolan won’t be allowed to go in vain. We prayed for the success of the agitation and reiterated that till the repeal of three black farm laws the struggle will continue despite egotistical behaviour and repressive measures of the Union government,” a press notice launch after the occasion stated.
    Gathering additionally honoured grandfather, father and mom of Navreet Singh, Jugraj Singh’s father Balkar Singh, and Ranjit Singh, who was arrested from Singhu border on January 29 and launched from Tihar jail not too long ago.

    All current at perform backed the Bharat Bandh name given by SKM for March 26. They appealed to shopkeepers and merchants to close their enterprise institutions “to indicate solidarity with farmers’ agitation.
    Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, grandfather of Navreet Singh appealed to youth to affix Thursday’s march from Moga to Singhu border to cement the relations between youth and Morcha leaders.

  • Deep Sidhu claims tried to pacify crowd at Red Fort, courtroom asks police to unearth ‘true picture’

    Observing that the investigating officer is “not supposed to collect evidence only to prove the guilt of the accused, rather he has to bring true picture before the court”, a Delhi courtroom has requested Delhi Police to conduct its investigation “in a fair and impartial manner” in reference to the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, after actor turned activist Deep Sidhu claimed he was attempting to pacify the gang there on January 26.
    Police advised the courtroom that Sidhu was attempting to “guide police to conduct investigation in a particular manner”.
    Sidhu has been arrested for allegedly instigating violent protesters on the monument.
    Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gajender Singh Nagar, who handed the order on an utility filed by Sidhu by way of his lawyer Abhishek Gupta, acknowledged, “Police officials are directed to investigate on the points as mentioned in the application made by the complainant to unearth the truth. Furthermore, appropriate action may be taken and appropriate sections may be added if the accused is trying to mislead the investigation by fabricating false evidence. IO is duty bound to conduct proper investigation in the matter in fair and impartial manner. He is not supposed to collect evidence only to prove the guilt of the accused, rather he has to bring the true picture before the court.”
    Sidhu’s legal professionals had moved courtroom asking it to difficulty instructions to the investigating company to incorporate all movies and different materials exhibiting “innocence” of accused on the report.
    Additional Public Prosecutor Rajiv Kamboj, who appeared on behalf of police, advised the courtroom that “accused cannot guide the police to conduct investigation in a particular manner”.
    “Police are duty bound to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. However, accused cannot be allowed to divert investigation of police from its path. It is argued that by moving the present application, he is trying to guide the investigation being done by the police,” Kamboj stated.
    Sidhu’s legal professionals argued that “CCTV footage of the Red Fort is already with the investigating agency which shows the applicant/accused did not participate in any act of violence and rather he was working with the police in pacifying the crowd”.
    “That applicant/accused is apprehensive that the said CCTV footage (from 10 am to 4 pm) and the video will also not be considered by the investigating agency,” the courtroom was advised.
    Gupta advised the courtroom that Sidhu reached the realm round Red Fort “only around 2 pm and he also gave the route from Murthal. Huge crowd had already gathered at the spot before he reached there. He had asked the investigating agency to obtain his phone location and also the car navigation system. However, the investigating agency has chosen not to check the said evidence…”
     
     

  • Red Fort violence: Actor-activist Deep Sidhu despatched to 14-day judicial custody

    Image Source : PTI Red Fort violence: Actor-activist Deep Sidhu despatched to 14-day judicial custody
    A Delhi court docket Tuesday despatched actor-activist Deep Sidhu to judicial custody for 14 days in reference to the Red Fort violence on Republic Day throughout farmers’ tractor parade towards the Centre’s three new agri legal guidelines. Sidhu was produced earlier than Metropolitan Magistrate Samarjeet Kaur on the expiry of his 7-day police custody. He was produced earlier than the Justice of the Peace in Tihar Jail, the place he his presently lodged.
    The court docket had first despatched Sidhu to police custody on February 9 for seven days, after the police alleged he was one of many important instigators of the violent incidents on the Red Fort. His custody was additional prolonged by seven days on February 16.
    The police had mentioned there are movies the place Sidhu may be allegedly seen to be current on the website of the incident.
    “He was instigating the gang. He was additionally one of many important rioters. Several social media accounts must be searched to determine the co-conspirators. Also his everlasting deal with is given as Nagpur however a number of locations must be visited in Punjab and Haryana to unearth additional particulars.
    “He can be seen coming out with the person who hoisted the flag and congratulating him. He came out and gave speeches in loud hailers and provoked the crowd there. He was the main instigator. He instigated the crowd due to which violence occured. Several policemen were injured in the violence,” police had alleged.
    Sidhu’s counsel, nonetheless, had claimed he had nothing to do with the violence and was on the unsuitable place on the unsuitable time.

    Sidhu has been arrested for a number of offences beneath the Indian Penal Code together with rioting (147 and 148), illegal meeting (149), try and homicide (120-B), legal conspiracy (120-B), assaulting or obstructing public servant (152), dacoity (395), culpable murder (308) and disobedience to order promulgated by public servant (188).
    He has additionally been arrested beneath sections of the Arms Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
    The police had introduced a money reward of Rs 1 lakh for info resulting in Sidhu’s arrest.
    Tens of 1000’s of protesting farmers clashed with the police within the nationwide capital on January 26 throughout a tractor parade to to spotlight their calls for.
    Many of them driving tractors reached the Red Fort and entered the monument, the place a non secular flag was additionally hoisted. Over 500 police personnel have been injured and one protestor died.
    In the FIR registered in reference to the Red Fort violence, police alleged two magazines with 20 dwell cartridges have been snatched from two constables by protestors who additionally broken automobiles and robbed anti-riot gear. 
    Latest India News

  • R-Day violence: Delhi Police arrests man who climbed Red Fort tomb

    Image Source : ABHAY PARASHAR/ INDIA TV R-Day violence: Delhi Police arrests man who climbed Red Fort tomb 
    The Delhi Police on Monday arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly climbed one of many tombs of the Red Fort in the course of the violence within the nationwide capital on Republic day (January 26). The accused, recognized as Jaspreet Singh is without doubt one of the associates of Maninder Singh, who was arrested final Tuesday for allegedly swinging swords with the intent of “motivating” and “energising” the protesters on the historic monument.

    Jaspreet Singh, a resident of Swaroop Nagar in northwest Delhi, was arrested by a Crime Branch group.

    Thousands of protesters had clashed with the police in the course of the tractor parade referred to as by farmer unions on January 26 demanding repeal of the Centre’s contentious farm legal guidelines. Many of the protesters reached the Red Fort driving tractors and entered the monument, and a few of them even hoisted spiritual flags on its domes and a flagstaff on the ramparts.

    “Jaspreet Singh is the person who was standing behind accused Maninder Singh and also climbed up one of the tombs located on both the sides of rampart at Red Fort,” an officer stated. “In one of the pictures, he is also seen in offensive gesture holding steel tensile installed at Red Fort.”

    ALSO READ | Red Fort violence case: Prime accused Maninder Singh arrested, swords seized

    According to police, Maninder Singh, 30, had “motivated” six individuals of the neighbourhood who had accompanied the tractor parade that headed from the Singhu border in direction of Mukarba Chowk.

    Jaspreet Singh is without doubt one of the associates and was recognized from the photographs and movies during which he was purportedly standing behind Maninder Singh, police stated.

    Maninder Singh, who works as a automotive AC mechanic, was arrested from in Pitampura in northwest Delhi final week, police had stated.

    According to the police, Maninder Singh was seen in a video swinging two swords at Red Fort “with the intent of motivating or radicalising and energising violent anti-national elements indulging in brutal assault and attacking police persons on duty”.

    Maninder Singh was “radicalised” by seeing “provoking” Facebook posts of varied teams, police had stated, including he would ceaselessly go to the Singhu border and was “highly motivated” by speeches made by leaders there.
    Latest India News

  • Red Fort Violence: Delhi Police probing Deep Sidhu’s reference to terror outfits

    Image Source : PTI Red Fort Violence: Delhi Police probing Deep Sidhu’s reference to terror outfits
    The Delhi Police on Friday mentioned it’s probing if Punjabi actor-activist Deep Sidhu, who’s the prime accused in Red Fort violence, has reference to any terrorist organisations or not. Sidhu was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday and was later despatched to 7-day police custody.

    The Punjabi actor is accused of instigating a gaggle of farmers to storm the Red Fort on Republic Day through the tractor parade. Sidhu was seen within the video footage of the Red Fort violence. He was absconding since then. 

    According to sources, Deep Sidhu is cooperating within the investigation and Delhi Police is attempting to determine whether or not he was having any hyperlinks with  terrorist organisations as a result of his associates put the flag on the rampart of the Red Fort. IB officers have additionally interrogated Deep Sidhu.

    However, Sidhu instructed the interrogators that he does not know Iqbal and Sukhdev Singh. 

    Also Read: Punjabi actress Reena Rai uploaded Deep Sidhu’s movies on Facebook from US | Inside particulars

    “On January 26, Sidhu came on a motorbike at Red Fort and when the people identified him he fled away from the fort on his bike only. Sidhu is also having some eatery business in south Delhi in partnership,” an official mentioned.

    Sidhu instructed the interrogator that he was not initially the a part of tractor rally however later joined them and reached the Red Fort.

    Meanwhile, Iqbal Singh, one other accused within the Republic Day violence case was arrested by Special Cell of Delhi Police on Wednesday.

    In the movies from Republic Day violence, Singh is seen issuing threats to police who had been on responsibility on the Red Fort. Singh mentioned that he’ll open hearth at them with their very own weapons. He will also be purportedly heard saying that if the gates of the Red Fort will not be opened peacefully, then weapons can be used and there can be widespread bloodshed. The video was streamed stay on Facebook.

    The Delhi Police had earlier introduced a money reward of Rs 1 lakh every for info resulting in arrest of Deep Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh and Rs 50,000 every for the arrest of Jajbir Singh, Boota Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Iqbal Singh for his or her alleged involvement within the Republic Day violence.

    Sidhu and Iqbal, each accused are within the custody of Crime Branch whereas Sukhdev Singh is in judicial custody. On the idea of CCTV footage and cell recording grabs, the police are actually tracing different accused concerned within the violence.

    Thousands of protesting farmers had clashed with the police through the tractor parade referred to as by farmer unions on January 26 to spotlight their demand for the repeal of the Centre’s three farm legal guidelines. Many of the protesters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort and entered the monument. Some protesters even hoisted spiritual flags on its domes and a flagstaff on the ramparts, the place the nationwide flag is unfurled by the Prime Minister on Independence Day.

    ALSO READ | Delhi Police releases new pictures displaying how rioters attacked cops throughout R-Day violence
    Latest India News

  • Govt pulls up Twitter: ‘differential treatment on Capitol Hill, Red Fort’

    COMPARING THE “action taken by Twitter during the Capitol Hill episode and… the disturbance in Red Fort”, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Wednesday “expressed strong displeasure” to Twitter at what it referred to as its “differential treatment”.
    “A deep sense of disappointment at seeing Twitter side not with ‘freedom of expression’ but rather with those who seek to abuse such freedom and provoke disturbance to public order, was conveyed to the Twitter representative,” the ministry mentioned in a strongly worded assertion launched after a two-hour-long digital assembly between its officers and senior Twitter executives.
    The assembly was attended by IT Secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney; Monique Meche, Twitter’s vice-president, international public coverage; and Jim Baker, Twitter’s deputy common counsel and vice-president, authorized. Ahead of the assembly, Twitter, in a blogpost, had listed motion taken in opposition to accounts red-flagged by the ministry.

    “Secretary took up the issue of using a hashtag on ‘farmer genocide’ with Twitter executives and expressed strong displeasure on the way Twitter acted after an emergency order was issued to remove this hashtag and content related to that. Spreading misinformation using an incendiary and baseless hashtag referring to ‘farmer genocide’ at a time when such irresponsible content can provoke and inflame the situation is neither journalistic freedom nor freedom of expression as envisaged under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. Despite the attention of Twitter being drawn to such content by the Government through a lawful process, the platform allowed the content with this hashtag to continue, which was extremely unfortunate,” mentioned the assertion.
    “Secretary also mentioned that revelations around a certain “Toolkit” has made it evident {that a} sturdy social media marketing campaign was deliberate abroad round farmers protest. Misuse of Twitter’s platform for execution of such campaigns designed to create disharmony and unrest in India is unacceptable and Twitter should take sturdy motion in opposition to such well-coordinated campaigns in opposition to India, by compliance with the relevant legislation of the land,” it mentioned.
    Earlier this month, the Delhi Police registered an FIR on prices of “sedition”, “criminal conspiracy” and “promoting hatred” in opposition to the creators of the ‘toolkit’ on the farmers’ protest, which was shared by local weather activist Greta Thunberg.
    “Lawfully passed orders are binding on any business entity. They must be obeyed immediately. If they are executed days later, it becomes meaningless. Secretary expressed his deep disappointment to Twitter leadership about the manner in which Twitter has unwillingly, grudgingly and with great delay complied with the substantial parts of the order. He took this opportunity to remind Twitter that in India, its Constitution and laws are supreme. It is expected that responsible entities not only reaffirm but remain committed to compliance to the law of land,” the ministry mentioned.
    “The Govt. conveyed to the Twitter leadership that the manner in which Twitter officially allows fake, unverified, anonymous and automated bot accounts to be operated on its platform, raises doubts about its commitment to transparency and healthy conversation on this platform,” it mentioned.
    The assertion mentioned that the Secretary highlighted that Twitter was welcome to do enterprise in India. “Due to India’s conducive business environment, open Internet and firm commitment to the freedom of expression, Twitter as a platform has grown significantly in India in the last few years…Twitter, as a business entity working in India must also respect Indian laws and democratic institutions.”
    “Twitter leadership affirmed their commitment towards following Indian laws and rules. They also expressed their continuing commitment towards building their services in India. They have also requested for better engagement between Government of India and Twitter’s global team,” mentioned the assertion.

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    Stating that “India has a robust mechanism for protection of freedom of speech and expression”, the assertion mentioned that “freedom of expression is not absolute and it is subject to reasonable restrictions”.
    In a blogpost earlier within the day, Twitter had listed motion taken on the ministry’s notices, saying it had “suspended more than 500 accounts” and “withheld a portion of the accounts identified in the blocking orders” of the MeitY. However, it additionally mentioned that it had not “taken any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians”, because it “would violate their fundamental right to free expression under Indian law”.
    “We took a range of enforcement actions — including permanent suspension in certain cases — against more than 500 accounts escalated across all MeitY orders for clear violations of Twitter’s Rules,” it mentioned, including that it additionally “took steps to reduce the visibility of the hashtags containing harmful content”.
    “Separately, today, we have withheld a portion of the accounts identified in the blocking orders under our Country Withheld Content policy within India only. These accounts continue to be available outside of India. Because we do not believe that the actions we have been directed to take are consistent with Indian law, and, in keeping with our principles of defending protected speech and freedom of expression, we have not taken any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians. To do so, we believe, would violate their fundamental right to free expression under Indian law,” it mentioned.
    Twitter mentioned that whereas it had “temporarily” complied with a number of the “emergency blocking orders”, it later determined to revive the mentioned accounts “in a manner that we believe was consistent with Indian law”.
    “We will continue to advocate for the right of free expression on behalf of the people we serve. We are exploring options under Indian law – both for Twitter and for the accounts that have been impacted. We remain committed to safeguarding the health of the conversation occurring on Twitter, and strongly believe that the Tweets should flow,” it mentioned.
    The blogpost had irked ministry officers, who initially hinted that the assembly had been postponed. However, the assembly was again on observe by night however not earlier than the IT ministry had expressed its displeasure.
    In a pointed launch, shared first on Koo, a homegrown microblogging app, and in a while Twitter, the ministry mentioned Twitter’s blogpost was “unusual”. “Upon the request of Twitter seeking a meeting with the Govt., the Secretary IT was to engage with senior management of Twitter. In this light a blogpost published prior to this engagement is unusual. Govt will share its response soon,” it mentioned.
    On January 31, it was the hashtag “farmer genocide” which had drawn the federal government’s consideration to Twitter accounts, prompting it to ship a discover to the platform beneath part 69 A of the IT Act. The ministry had requested Twitter to dam 257 accounts, saying these handles had been “spreading misinformation” in regards to the farmers’ protest, which had the potential to “lead to imminent violence affecting public order situation in the country”.
    Twitter had responded by blocking a number of the accounts, however had later unblocked them.
    On February 4, the ministry despatched Twitter a brand new listing of almost 1,200 accounts, asking it to both droop or block them in India, sources mentioned. These accounts, the discover had mentioned, “were flagged by security agencies as accounts of Khalistan sympathisers or backed by Pakistan”.

    “Many of these accounts were also automated bots that were used for sharing and amplifying misinformation and provocative content on the farmers’ protests. However, Twitter has not yet complied with this order,” senior authorities officers had then advised The Indian Express.
    On February 8, Twitter mentioned that it reviewed each report that it obtained from the federal government “as expeditiously as possible” and took acceptable motion whereas ensuring that the platform held agency to its elementary values and dedication to guard “public conversation”. A day later, the corporate mentioned it had reached out to IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for a “formal dialogue”.
    Prasad, nevertheless, refused to satisfy them, following which the IT Secretary presided over the assembly, senior officers mentioned.

  • Red Fort rampage: Man behind elevating of ‘Nishan Sahib’ arrested

    Image Source : VIDEO GRAB INDIA TV Dharmendra Singh Harman was doing stay on Facebook when non secular flag was hoisted at Red Fort.
    The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested one man in reference to the unfurling of a non secular flag on the Red Fort on January 26. The arrested man has been recognized as Dharmendra Singh Harman. Harman is accused of being concerned within the elevating the ‘Nishan Sahib’ (non secular flag of Sikhs) on the Red Fort amid violent clashes between farmers and police throughout the tractor rally within the nationwide capital.
    Dharmendra Singh Harman was doing stay on Facebook when non secular flag was hoisted at Red Fort. He has been charged for instigating the mob.
    Thousands of protesting farmers had clashed with the police throughout the tractor parade known as by farmer unions on January 26 to focus on their demand for repeal of the three farm legal guidelines. Protesters deviated from the designated route for the proposed tractor parade and barged into the Red Fort. They additionally attacked cops, vandalised police autos and the ticket counter on the Red Fort. 
    Some of them hoisted non secular flags at Red Fort, the Mughal period monument from the place the Prime Minister addresses the nation on Independence Day. The saffron flag hoisted by protesters was the ‘Nishan Sahib’, an emblem of Sikh faith seen in any respect Gurdwara complexes. The ‘Nishan Sahib’ is a triangular flag that’s sacred to Sikhs. The flag is seen in any respect Gurdwara complexes. The emblem on the flag includes of ‘Khanda’, a two-edged sword, Chakra, a disc, and two Kirpans that cross one another on the handles. The different flag gave the impression to be of a farmer union.

    READ MORE: Farmers stir: Opposition MPs at Ghazipur border stopped from assembly protesters
    Earlier on Wednesday, the police additionally launched pictures of 20 suspects, who have been recognized after evaluation of safety footage. The folks within the images are seen holding sticks or lathis. Police additionally introduced money reward of Rs 1 lakh for data that may result in the arrest of actor Deep Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh in reference to the Red Fort incident. Cash reward of Rs 50,000 every was additionally introduced for Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Jajbir Singh and Iqbal Singh for instigating protesters.
    Farmers, principally from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been tenting at a number of Delhi border factors, together with Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur, since November 28, demanding an entire repeal of three farm legal guidelines and a authorized assure on minimal assist worth for his or her crops.
    READ MORE: Farmers’ protest: Kejriwal govt orders DTC to withdraw buses given to Delhi Police

    Latest India News

  • Five recognized at Red Fort have legal information in Punjab: probe

    Initial investigation by the Delhi Police into the vandalism at Red Fort by a bit of farm protesters who veered off the designated route on Republic Day has indicated that at the very least 5 of these recognized have legal information in Punjab and have been picked up by state police earlier, sources advised The Sunday Express.
    Raids are on to arrest them, sources mentioned.
    An estimated 1,000 folks, on 30-40 tractors and round 150 bikes and vehicles, had forcibly entered Red Fort premises, the place they chased and assaulted policemen, looted their anti-riot gear, held some hostage inside a public bathroom and vandalised the ticket counter, in keeping with an FIR based mostly on a grievance by SHO (Kotwali) Rituraj.

    Sources mentioned that after scanning footage from a number of CCTV cameras, police have recognized some males. “Details on the background of five to six of them have been verified with Punjab Police. Some have an attempt to murder case in the past, while others have been arrested over brawls,” mentioned a supply.
    Sources additionally mentioned some violent protesters have been recognized as residents of Delhi and police are gathering proof earlier than making arrests.
    Additional PRO (Delhi Police) Anil Mittal mentioned they’ve to date registered 38 instances in reference to the farmers’ rally, and arrested 84 individuals.
    On Saturday, a forensic group reached Red Fort to gather proof. Sources additionally mentioned probe officers are attempting to get particulars of tractors utilizing their registration numbers. “We will trace the owners and summon them for questioning. We will also match their details using a face recognition system,” mentioned a senior police officer.

    At Red Fort on January 27, 2021 (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)
    In an announcement launched Thursday, police had alleged that the protesters had a “pre-conceived and well-coordinated” plan to interrupt the safety settlement reached between the police and farm leaders for the tractor rally.

    The Delhi Police has issued a Lookout Notice towards a number of farmer leaders and their passports will probably be seized within the days forward, a senior officer mentioned.

    “We have recovered more than 1,700 CCTV clips and footage from government agencies is also being retrieved. A team from Forensic University, Gujarat has been called in to analyse the videos,” a senior police officer mentioned.

  • Hoisting Nishan Sahib not against the law: Akal Takht Jathedar

    Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh Friday condemned the violence through the tractor parade on Republic Day however added that it was not against the law to hoist Nishan Sahib on a vacant flag submit on the Red Fort. He additionally urged Union authorities and farmer unions to take a step again and shun rigidness.
    “Violence by farmers or police at Red Fort can’t be justified. But controversy over hoisting Nishan Sahib over vacant flag pole at Red Fort is a non- issue,” the Jathedar mentioned in assertion.

    He added: “Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee organises Fateh March every year to Red Fort with Nishan Sahib. Nishan Sahib is hoisted at Galwan Valley. Nishan Sahib was part of Republic Day Parade this year. It is not right to criticise Nishan Sahib by calling it the flag of Khalistan.”
    “There is meaning and importance of hoisting Nishan Sahib on gurdwaras, on motorcycles or at community kitchens. It means that place has no space for immortality or sin. Nishan Sahib means shelter for homeless food for hungry and medicine for sick. So it is not crime if someone has hoisted Nishan Sahib at Red Fort,” mentioned Jathedar.
    On the violence, he mentioned, “Whenever such incidents happen, the real culprits always escape and innocents are arrested. Many innocents are arrested in relation with Republic Day incident. It is unfortunate development. Whatever happened on Republic Day should not have happened.”
    He additionally suggested Union authorities and farmer unions to shun rigidness of their tussle.

    Jathedar mentioned, “To restore order in agitation, it is need of hour that farmer unions should stop indulging in blame game against each other and move forward carefully and peacefully. Matter is going to be resolved only through negotiations. Government should move one step back. It is wisdom if we have to go one step back. Matter should be resolved. So that Sikhs and all farmers sitting on borders of Delhi can return back to their homes. I want to repeat that matter can be resolved through negotiations. The door for negotiations should be kept open. Shun the rigidness.”

    He added, “The Republic Day events have hurt the agitation. It is responsibility of the leaders to maintain the order of agitation. Leaders get credit for positive outcome and they also have to bear the consequences if anything unfortunate happens during the agitation.”