Delhi Police issues lookout notice against farmer union leaders in tractor rally violence case

NEW DELHI: Two days after violence broke out in different parts of national capital Delhi during farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day, Delhi Police today said it has issued a lookout notice (LOC) against some farmer leaders with the help of immigration.

The passports of those leaders will be seized as a part of the process.

This comes a day after Delhi Police registered an FIR at Samaypur Badli police station against 37 farmer leaders including Medha Patkar, Buta Singh Burjgil, Darshan Pal, Rakesh Tikait, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Yogendra Yadav in connection with Tuesday's violence.

The FIR mentioned multiple Indian Penal Code sections, including Sec 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 353 (assault/criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).

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Delhi Police commissioner SN Srivastava on Wednesday said farmer unions did not follow conditions set for the rally that was supposed to be held from 12 pm to 5 pm with 5,000 tractors and accused them of betrayal. He said violence left as many as 394 police personnel injured. At least one of the protesters also lost his life.

Police said their "pre-planned objective of not following the mutually agreed route and time of the commencement of the so-called parade” was to disrupt the Republic Day Parade. Apart from the protesters resorting violence, police has also labeled charges of violation of COVID-19 guidelines by the gathering.

Security has also been tightened at Tikri Border where farmers continued their protest against the farm laws.

Union home minister Amit Shah has been monitoring the situation in Delhi and held meetings late last night as well as early today.