Tractor Rally: Over 200 detained, FIRs against 22 farmer leaders. Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sanghathan and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) withdraw from farmers’ protests

The tractor rally to New Delhi on Republic Day turned violent, with many clashes reported. Over 300 police personnel have reportedly been injured. The Delhi Police has named 22 farmer leaders in the FIR. Two groups have said they are withdrawing from the protests.

In connection with the violence that took place yesterday in the national capital during the tractor march, the Delhi Police has detained over 200 protesters, including some important farm leaders. The police claims it has secured video evidence of inciting speeches and is looking into CCTV footage from Red Fort and ITO in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, a short while ago, Sardar VM Singh of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sanghathan announced that his group was withdrawing from the protests immediately, because of yesterday’s violence. However, he has said the protest will continue in another form till they get the guarantee of MSP.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) headed by Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh, has also withdrawn from the protest.

A total of 22 FIRs have been filed, and these name farmer leaders Darshan Pal, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh, Rakesh Tikait and Joginder Singh Ugraha, besides activist Yogendra Yadav.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Delhi Police will address a press conference at 4 pm today to answer all the questions regarding the Republic day violence.

Delhi Police will hold a press briefing at 4 pm today and all questions regarding the violence during farmers' tractor rally yesterday will be answered: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar pic.twitter.com/wWQ6md1cRu
— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2021

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has restricted entry to Lal Quila and Jama Masjid metro stations in the wake of yesterday’s violence.

Security Update

Entry/exit gates of Lal Quila metro station are closed.

Entry gates of Jama Masjid metro station are closed.
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) January 27, 2021

Twitter has suspended about 300 accounts associated with farmers’ protests for engaging in spam and platform manipulation.

#Twitter on Wednesday said it suspended more than 300 accounts engaged in spam and platform manipulation as the farmers' tractor rally went violent in the national capital on the 72nd Republic Day. pic.twitter.com/iY2Rr78ZCn
— IANS (@ians_india) January 27, 2021

Yesterday, on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day of India, protesting farmers took out a tractor march to New Delhi to register their objection to the three farm laws. The march that was supposed to be peaceful and symbolic, soon turned violent, with a group of protesters entering the Red Fort to unfurl a religious flag.

Clashes also took place between police and the protesters at ITO and Mukarba Chowk. About 300 policemen have been injured.

Most farmers’ groups, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sanghathan, have distanced themselves from the violence, and laid the blame on “anti-social elements”.