S N Shrivastava, Commissioner of Delhi Police, addressing a conference on January 28, 2021, stated that he believed that the violence that broke out in the National Capital City was completely the farmer union leaders’ fault.
The Commissioner implied that perhaps the violence that happened was a pre-planned conspiracy and accused the leaders of bringing in “militant elements” to the largely peaceful protest.
He talked about how the violence happened even though the police had been in talks with the farmers and everything was decided but the farmers broke every promise of theirs.
“Five rounds of extensive meetings were conducted. Initially, the Kisan organizations were asked to change their date due to the police’s commitments for the Republic Day Parade security arrangements. Despite our repeated requests they refused to budge.”
“Their wrong intent was apparent on the night of January 25 when the militant sections of the protesting farmers who were at rear of the dharna were brought forward at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders. These militants occupied the stage and started provocative speeches right from the early hours of January 26.”
He reported that farmer union leaders like Darshan Pal Singh, and Satnam Singh Pannu were among others to deliver the provocative speeches and that Darshan Pal Singh had now been summoned by the police for questioning in relation to the violence that broke out.
A total of reportedly 394 cops had been injured as a result of the Tuesday violence. As of now, 19 people have been arrested, 50 detained and 25 FIRs have been filed.
