Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers' protest: Additional police force withdrawn from borders as situation calms down

NEW DELHI: With no major trouble having been reported from farmers’ protest sites in the past few days, the Delhi Police top brass has decided to withdraw additional personnel deployed from across the city at the border points of the capital. The personnel have been instructed to go back to their respective units and districts. Sources say the decision has been taken as day-to-day functioning of the police force was being heavily impacted. Investigating officers couldn’t even go to court for trials and proceedings, they said. In an order issued by special commissioner Muktesh Chander, it was said the additional staff would go back to their respective districts or units with effect from Tuesday. All districts where additional force is deployed were directed to relieve the force mobilised from Delhi Police by 6pm on Monday and the personnel would report to their respective district/units for further duties. The order also mentioned that the districts concerned might mobilise additional force from their own resources to augment police arrangements during any farmers’ rally in their respective districts. On the Republic Day, farmers, protesting at Delhi’s borders against three central farm laws and demanding their repeal, were allowed to take out tractor rallies on pre-decided routes. However, several groups broke away from these routes, prompting clashes with police at different points across the city. Many protesters reached the Red Fort and entered the monument. Some of them hoisted a religious flag on its ramparts.

The Times of India

2021-02-09

Delhi