Delhi Police: 'Militant leaders' instigated farmers to break the law

A day after farmers barged into the national capital through barricades on their tractors, the Delhi Police briefed the media on the sequence of events leading up to the acts of violence and hooliganism. Here are highlights of Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava's briefing

* Certain terms and conditions were set for the tractor rally. The rally was to begin at Noon and go on till 5 pm led by farmer leaders. Farmer leaders gave an undertaking agreeing to these terms and conditions.
 

* By the evening of January 25, aggressive and militant leaders took over the stage at protest sites. Next day morning, the farmers marched.  Satnam Singh Pannu gave a provocative speech after which farmers broke barricades. Darshan Pal Singh too gave provocative speeches. 

* March towards Ghazipur began at 8:30 am instead of Noon. Police personnel urged farmer leaders to wait till the Republic Day parade was over at Noon to cross over into Delhi. But instead, they barged through the barricades. 
 

* On Tikri border, the march began at 8:30 am. Their too leaders instigated farmers to break through a container barricade and enter the national capital.

* Delhi Police personnel were patient as we did not want any loss of lives or damage to property. We wanted to ensure a peaceful rally. 19 people have been arrested so far, 50 have been detained.
 

* Farmer leaders responsible for the violence. Over 300 police personnel have been injured. Some policemen in the ICU. 428 police barricades and 30 police vehicles damaged. 6 containers used to block roads damaged. Tear gas used for crowd control. Many police personnel are in injured. 

* Farmers reached ramparts of Red Fort and hoisted flags. Police is investigating this separately. Illegal agitation and storming of a national heritage site a serious offence. CCTV footage is being examined. Nobody will be spared.
 

* There was no intelligence failure. We had an agreement with the farmers. We wanted to abide by that agreement. Arrangements were made as per the arrangement. Nobody died on the streets of Delhi due to Delhi Police. Farmer leaders betrayed us.