Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: Amit Shah asks police to identify those behind violence

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the Delhi situation and directed Delhi Police to identify every mischievous element behind the violence and “anti-national acts”, such as foisting a religious flag on Red Fort. At the meeting, Shah is said to have been briefed by police commissioner S N Srivastava on all the FIRs registered relating to the violence, and the people detained and questioned so far. The investigation in the days to come will focus on gathering evidence from all possible sources, including CCTV and video footage, to identify people who instigated and directed the violence. The probe will also look at possible sources of funds and resources used to create chaos. All these individuals, including leaders of farm organisations participating in violent activities, will be prosecuted, said sources. The role of farmer leaders, notwithstanding their attempts to dissociate themselves from Tuesday’s violence and blame “infiltrators”, is a key part of the investigation. It is the assessment of Delhi Police and central intelligence agencies that key people, such as prominent farm leader Darshan Pal encouraged the militant component to take the initiative at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders. Meanwhile, as Punjab actor Deep Sidhu emerges as a key figure behind the chaos at Red Fort, including the planting of ‘Nishan Sahib’ or Sikh religious flag, TOI has learnt from sources that National Investigation Agency will soon issue a fresh notice summoning him as witness in the case against Sikhs for Justice and other pro-Khalistan outfits like Babbar Khalsa International. He was among the 40 people summoned as witnesses, of which only 15-16 had turned up. Sidhu did not respond to the first summons and will be issued a second notice soon. As per the NIA’s FIR registered on December 15, 2020, SFJ and other banned pro-Khalistan organisations, along with frontal outfits, have entered into conspiracy to create an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness and incite people towards rising in rebellion.

The Times of India

2021-01-28

Delhi