Police gives nod to protesting farmers' tractor rally in Indian capital on Republic Day

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, January 25, 2021
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NEW DELHI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Indian police on Sunday allowed protesting farmers to stage a tractor rally in the capital city New Delhi on the Republic Day.

"Today there was a short meeting with officers of Delhi Police. We have got formal permission from police for the tractor rally. As I told earlier, Kisan Gantantra Parade will be held on Jan. 26 in a peaceful manner," Yogendra Yadav, head of Swaraj India party, told the media.

The protesting farmers have promised that their rally will be peaceful.

The decision to allow the tractor rally to enter the city was made following rounds of talks between protesting farmers and police.

Police said the permission was given to show respect to the farmers' demands.

"Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but can't disturb the Republic Day parade," special commissioner of police Dependra Pathak said. "They can enter Delhi for few kilometres and then exit."

Reports said the tractor rally will start after the Republic Day program of the government ends at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a local news agency posted an order from the Delhi Police Commissioner to all special commissioners of police and district units directing them to keep their personnel ready for further deployment on short notice.

"All officers and men, as well as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and other force deployed for Republic Day parade security, should remain in ready position to move at short notice for law and order arrangement in connection with Kisan tractor rally," said the order.

India's top court has said the entry of protesting farmers into New Delhi on Republic Day has to be decided by police as the matter is related to "law and order."

Thousands of farmers have been protesting since Nov. 26 last year in and around the capital city New Delhi, occupying roads and demanding the withdrawal of three contentious farm laws.

Eleven rounds of talks between protesting farmers and the federal government have failed to end the stalemate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been strongly defending the three laws, ever since the protest broke out. Enditem

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