Cops unlikely to act against protesters till repeal of farm laws

The police maintained strict vigil over farmers' protest venues on Saturday, a day after the Prime Minister announced the repeal of the three contentious farm laws. It is unlikely to act till the upcoming Parliament session starting from November 29, when the government is likely to repeal the laws, said people aware of the matter.

Farmer groups have been demanding withdrawal of first information reports (FIRs) against protestors filed by the Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police on charges of arson, rioting, obstructing the police from doing their duties and violations of Covid-19 guidelines.

In the past one year, the Delhi Police alone has registered more than two dozen FIRs against the protesters in multiple cases including the Republic Day violence case and the Disha Ravi toolkit case. More than 200 persons were arrested in these cases. Delhi had witnessed violent protests during a tractor parade on Republic Day last year as thousands of agitators clashed with the police.


Security agencies also flagged "growing role of radical elements" in these protests. Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group banned for anti-India secessionist movement, was "mainly behind instigating farmers" in Delhi and Punjab, they alleged. US-based SFJ supports secession of Punjab and creation of Khalistan, according to government insiders. Founded and headed by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group was banned by the Centre in 2019 while its office bearers are under a National Investigation Agency probe under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.