Farmers Movement Archive

Another arrest in Red Fort violence case

New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested a man wanted in connection with the Republic Day violence this January. Buta Singh, a 26-year-old resident of Punjab’s Taran Taran, was carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000. Police claim he was seen in a video along with others hoisting a religious flag atop Red Fort. According to police, different groups of farmers’ organisations protesting against the farm Bills had gathered at the Red Fort in large numbers without permission. “The mob climbed the rampart of the fort and unfurled the religious flag at its pole. The rioters even caused damage to the government vehicles and public properties and assaulted police personnel,” said deputy commissioner of police (crime) Monika Bhardwaj. During the investigation, the DCP said, specific information was received regarding Singh and a raid was conducted at his village, Talwandi Sobha Singh. “During the raid, Singh’s family members and neighbours tried hard to get him out of the police custody and attempted to block the roads with tractors, but the team, with the help of local police, managed to come out of the village along with Singh,” she said. According to Bhardwaj, Singh told police that he was radicalised by watching provoking social media posts of various groups. “He used to frequently visit the Singhu border in Delhi and was highly motivated by speeches there,” she said. As per the plan, Singh had entered the fort along with his five-six associates and other unknown armed miscreants, the DCP claimed. “His act of hoisting the flag had motivated already violent protesters” to indulge in all sorts of violence against police personnel deployed on Republic Day and damage the historical monument, she said.

The Times of India

2021-07-01

Delhi