Red Fort violence

 

Red Fort violence Delhi police detain 200 after farmer protests                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 Thousands of farmers clashed with police as protesters forced their way on the outskirts of the city.

One protester was killed and more than 300 policemen were injured.

Blaming the riots on rioters for the otherwise peaceful march, most peasant leaders said they would not end their protest.

The detainees are being held on charges of rioting, damaging public property and assaulting police officers. So far 22 police complaints have been registered.

"We are making arrests after proper verification. We are also watching CCTV near Lal Qila, ITO, Ningloi and other areas where the violence broke out," police officials told The Indian Express.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The violence coincided with Republic Day - a national holiday celebrated on January 26, 1950, the anniversary of the official adoption of the Constitution of India.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a group of protesting farmers, said in a statement that it "condemns and regrets the undesirable and unacceptable incidents and distances itself from those involved in such acts."                                                                                                                                                                                                

The two farmers' unions called off their strike on Wednesday, but most said they were determined to continue protesting against the new agricultural laws.

The government says its reforms will liberate the sector, but farmers say it will make them poorer.

Thousands of them have been on strike on the outskirts of Delhi since November, demanding the repeal of the laws. Last week, he rejected the government's offer to block the changes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 During the mass protests against the agricultural reforms after deadly violence Tuesday in the capital of India, Delhi Police arrested 200 protesters.

On the outskirts of the city, thousands of protesters clashed with police forced entry to farmers.

One protester was killed and more than 300 police were injured.

Otherwise, most of the peasant leaders said they would not end their protest, accusing the rioters of rioting during the peaceful march.

The detainees have been charged with rioting, damaging public property, and assaulting police officers. So far, 22 police complaints have been registered.

"We are making arrests after proper verification. We are also looking for CCTV near Lal Qila, ITO, Nangloi and other areas where the violence has spread," police officials told The Indian Express.

The Indian government deployed 15 companies of paramilitary forces to increase security after the protests, raiding some farmers and raiding the city's historic Red Fort and occupying it until police evicted them. 

The violence coincided with Republic Day - a national holiday in which Indians formally celebrated the anniversary of the adoption of their constitution on January 26, 1950.

The Seokta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella group of protesting farmers, said in a statement that it "condemns and regrets the unwelcome and unacceptable incidents and distances itself from those involved in such acts."

Two farmers' unions withdrew from the protest on Wednesday, but most said they were determined to continue their protest against the new agricultural laws.

The government says its reforms will free the sector, but farmers say it will make them poorer.

Thousands of them have been on strike on the outskirts of Delhi since November, demanding the repeal of the laws. Last week, he rejected the government's offer to block the changes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Noorit Singh, a 27-year-old farmer, died during the chaos at the ITO when his truck hit obstacles and overturned.

On Sunday, police and farm union leaders agreed that protesters would march from the border to the KMP Expressway and KGP  Expressway. However, on Tuesday, thousands of protesters from Sanghu border and Ghazipur border changed their route and marched towards Akshardham.                                                                                                                                                                  

He then went to the ITO and Lal Qila in central Delhi, where police charged tear gas shells and batons, while farmers vandalized government property and attacked police officers. At the Red Fort, a group of protesters climbed the poles and walls and waved their flag.

CRPF personnel were also injured in the clashes and their vehicles were damaged, police said.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

How did the violence happen?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 The government opposed the planned farmers' rally, but police allowed it on condition that it would not disrupt the Republic Day parade in central Delhi.

Farmers were given specific routes for tractor rallies, which will be limited to most outlying areas.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 But shortly after the parade, convoys of tractors broke through police barricades and gathered in the city center. A group of protesters exploded through the security at the historic Red Fort, where they climbed the walls and domes of the fort, even waving flags with the national flag.

Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Tuesday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.

Some of the most violent clashes took place near the ITO metro station junction - on the way to central Delhi. The footage showed farmers attacking police with sticks and metal rods, while officers used tear gas and sticks.

Police said a protester was killed at the junction when his tractor overturned after hitting a barricade.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The police said in a statement that farmers take action after breaking the terms for the rally and "violence and destruction".

But a farmers' union leader accused the police of inciting violence.

"When you attack a peaceful protest, the difficulties for the government will definitely increase," Kowal Preet Singh Pannu told AFP.

"It will not stop there. Our movement and message have only strengthened."                                                                                                                                                       

What do the new farming laws suggest?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 The laws relax the rules on the sale, pricing and storage of agricultural produce, which have kept Indian farmers safe from the free market for decades.

Farmers fear that the new rules will jeopardize decades-old concessions - such as assurances - and weaken their bargaining power, leading to the exploitation of private companies.

Although Mr Modi has defended them, farmers' groups have likened the laws to "death warrants".

Most economists and experts agree that Indian agriculture is in dire need of reform. But critics of the government say it failed to consult with farmers before passing the law.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 What is the Red Fort?                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

This large red-walled fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the early 17th century and was a stronghold of the Mughal Empire until 1857, when India was ruled by the British.

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag from the fort on August 16, 1947 - a day after the declaration of independence from Britain

The fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.