Shah holds security meet, more forces deployed

THE DECISION to deploy additional paramilitary personnel was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah and attended by Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla

Violence is not the solution to any problem. Irrespective of who gets hurt, it’s the country which will suffer. Take back the anti-agricultural laws for the sake of the country.

— Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader

Shocking scenes in Delhi... violence by some elements is unacceptable. It’ll negate goodwill generated by peaceful protests. Kisan leaders have disassociated themselves and suspended tractor rally... urge all genuine farmers to vacate Delhi and return to the borders.

— Capt. Amarinder Singh, Punjab CM

Farmer leaders have said that those who indulged in violence today were not part of the movement and were external elements. Whoever they were, the violence has certainly weakened the movement which was going on so peacefully and in a disciplined manner.

— Aam Aadmi Party

New Delhi, Jan. 26: In the wake of farmers’ tractor rally turning violent, the Centre on Tuesday decided to deploy additional paramilitary troops in Delhi to restore peace and maintain law and order, officials said.

The decision to deploy additional paramilitary personnel was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah and attended by Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, Delhi Police Commissioner S.N. Shrivastava among others.

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

Additional paramilitary troops will be brought in for deployment in sensitive places in Delhi, a home ministry official said.

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

Around 4,500 paramilitary personnel were already deployed for law and order duties ahead of Republic Day.

Earlier in the day, the Home Ministry decided to temporarily suspend the internet in parts of Delhi like Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi and their adjoining areas for 12 hours from Tuesday noon.

“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 said.

Rapid Action Force personnel have also been repositioned in the national capital and vigil has been intensified in view of the evolving situation.

Earlier, the union home secretary briefed the home minister about the situation in Delhi , the official said. The home minister reviewed the situation after hundreds of protesting farmers on tractors barrelled through police barricades to enter central Delhi areas, including Red Fort and ITO.

The home secretary and the police commissioner also apprised Mr Shah about the steps being taken by the police to maintain peace, another official said.