The tractor parade on Tuesday that was to highlight the demands of the farmer unions to repeal three new agri laws dissolved into anarchy on the streets of the city as tens of thousands of protesters broke through barriers, fought with police, overturned vehicles and hoisted a religious flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort.
A day later, scenes of vandalised railings, ticket counters, and even security check machines were on the fore at the Red Fort.
The Free Press Journal has sourced multiple images, captured by news agencies from the site:
Vandalised ticket counter of Red Fort seen after the tractor rally, in New Delhi on Wednesday. | ANI
Vandalised railings of the Red Fort | ANI
A group of protestors climbed to the ramparts of the fort and unfurled flags on the 26th of January. These are the remnants of the vandalised security check machines | ANI
Security tightened at Red Fort, a day after it was stormed by protesting farmers during their tractor march, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021. | Kamal Singh / PTI
Damaged metal detectors at an entry gate in the premises of the Red Fort, a day after it was stormed by protesting farmers during their tractor march | Kamal Singh / PTI
A damaged police jeep in the premises of Red Fort | Kamal Singh / PTI
Vandalised property of Red Fort during the tractor rally | ANI
More vandalised ticket counters | PTI
Damaged CCTV Camera and Lights seen at the Red Fort | ANI
Reports from the news agencies clearly demonstrate that properties at the Red Fort were vandalised during the farmers' protest, shortly after it took a violent turn at the Republic Day tractor parade.
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Stressing that the Red Fort is a symbol of independent India and thousands of Indians had given up their lives for independence and to see the national flag flying atop the fort, several political quarters have condemned the violence that unfolded on the streets of Delhi during the Republic Day farmers' tractor parade.
On Tuesday, protesters agitating against the new farm laws entered the premises of Red Fort in the national capital and waved flags they were carrying from its ramparts, a place reserved for the tricolour.
They also damaged the public properties in the premises. The entire area saw chaotic scenes for hours as the protesters pelted stones at police and damaged vehicles. Police personnel tried to control the mob by baton-charging them and lobbing tear gas shells.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel, who visited the Red Fort to take stock of the damage by agitating farmers during the tractor rally, on Wednesday said that he has directed officials to register an FIR regarding the vandalism immediately.
The Minister has directed officials to also submit a report at the earliest and hand it over to Ministry of Home Affair (MHA).
Patel along with police and other officials visited the incident spot where broken shards of glass, scattered pieces of paper, vandalised ticket counter, metal detector gate, and police caps could be seen strewn around.
A total of 22 FIRs have been registered regarding the violence in which over 300 police personnel were injured. The Delhi Police is scheduled to hold a press briefing today.
Farmers broke barricades to enter Delhi and indulged in vandalism across several parts of the national capital during their Kisan tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws. Several public and private properties were damaged in acts of vandalism by the rioting mob.
Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
(With inputs from agencies)
