The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to deploy more paramilitary forces following clashes between protesting farmers and police in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The Home Ministry took the decision during a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials earlier this evening. According to reports, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Arvind Kumar and Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava were in attendance.
Shah also took stock of the law and order situation in Delhi after the confrontation between farmers and police got violent, leaving many injured and a farmer losing his life. According to a leading news agency, the government sent 10 CRPF forces and five remaining paramilitary companies on Monday. The government had five paramilitary forces on standby today.
Meanwhile, several reports are suggesting that protesting farmers and police are clashing in parts of New Delhi.
Earlier today, the Home Ministry ordered the suspension of internet services at Singhu, Tikri, Nangloi, Mukbara Chowk and Ghazipur, the five border points of Delhi. Also, internet services were suspended in the areas close to the protests sites. Entry and exit points at several metro stations were closed after violence erupted. One of the main zones of clashes between the farmers and police took place at ITO in central Delhi.
Before the Republic Day parade could begin, farmers began breaking barricades placed by the Delhi Police at the Delhi border to prevent them from entering into Delhi. The police resorted to lathicharge and tear gas, but, the farmers kept marching forward. Reports suggest that the Home Ministry was getting hourly updates on the situation. Protesting farmers managed to enter the Red Fort and hoist flags on empty poles without touching the Tricolour flag places at the Fort.
Farmers have been protesting against the three contentious farm laws at various border points of the Delhi. Despite several rounds of talks between farmers’ union leaders and the central government. The situation remains a deadlock with the farmers demanding the Centre to repeal the three laws and Centre seeking other alternatives.
