According to reports, the Delhi police have claimed that as many as 14 farmers have gone missing since the Republic Day tractor parade. The officials, however, assured that the missing protestors weren’t in police custody as some reports allege. Meanwhile, interacting with a media organisation, the farmers expressed their concern, as the missing 14 farmers haven’t reached their homes as well.
On January 26, more than a lakh farmers from different parts of the country reached Delhi on their tractors for a parallel Republic Day parade. However, the incident led to the infamous Red Fort riots following which the Delhi police filed a list of 163 names in connection with the event. While 100 of those on the list were let out on bail, the rest are lodged in Tihar jail. On the other hand, the farmers’ unions handed over a list containing the name of the missing protestors, but the police confirmed that they are not in jail or custody. Reportedly, the 14 names haven’t been recorded in any hospital.
Besides, the farmers’ leaders claim that it is “mysterious” that the mobile phones of all missing 14 farmers — from different parts of Punjab — are collectively not working. The families of these farmers have approached the Delhi Police seeking their help in locating the missing people.
On March 6, the farmers’ agitation will complete 100 days, while the Samyukta Kisan Morcha claims that nearly 108 farmers had died during the protests in the last three months due to the cold.
Moreover, at the same time, all 11 discussions that took place between the government and the protesting farmers had failed, since the Centre was unwilling to repeal the farm laws. Currently, the farmers are organising Maha Panchayats to increase support for the agitation in all states. According to reports, the farmers are planning to organise a campaign against the Centre and BJP as the political focus shifted to state elections.
