Farmers’ Tractor Rally: Home Ministry Orders To Deploy Additional Paramilitary Forces At Delhi's Sensitive Areas

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting to review the law and order situation in the national capital in view of the clashes that erupted between protesters and Delhi police in several areas.

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New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in the national capital in wake of the clashes that erupted between protesters and Delhi police in several areas.

Delhi Police and home ministry officials were a part of this meeting headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. The decisions taken include the deployment of additional paramilitary forces in sensitive areas including the Red Fort. Agencies are suspicious of further notorious activities that can be carried out to worsen an already chaotic situation.

Amit Shah is also reported to have directed the Delhi Police to identify and take action against those involved in the violence.

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in the national capital and the steps being taken by the Delhi Police to maintain peace, an official told news agency PTI.

Delhi Commissioner of Police SN Shrivastava and IB director Arvind Kumar also attended the meeting.

The exact number of additional troops was not revealed but officials suggested that it could be around 1,500 to 2,000 personnel (about 15 to 20 companies).

Rapid Action Force personnel were repositioned in the national capital and vigil was intensified in view of the evolving situation.

"The time and the routes for the tractor rally were finalised after several rounds of meetings. But farmers drove tractors off the routes and before the fixed time, leading to vandalism in which many police personnel was injured,": Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava had told news agency ANI.

"Public properties have also been damaged. I appeal to the protesting farmers not to indulge in violence, maintain peace and return through the designated routes: Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava added.

Earlier in the day, internet services were suspended in parts of Delhi like Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi and their adjoining areas till midnight.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1855 and in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency, it is necessary and expedient to order the temporary suspension of internet services in the areas ... in Delhi from 12:00 hours to 23:59 hours on January 26," an order issued by the MHA stated.

(With inputs from agencies)