The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of different farmers' unions, on Tuesday alleged that anti-social elements had infiltrated their otherwise peaceful protests in the national capital on the Republic Day.
“Despite all efforts, some organisations and individuals violated the route (for tractor rally) and indulged in condemnable acts,” the Morcha said in a statement.
Tens of thousands of farmers atop tractors broke barriers, clashed with police and entered the city from various points to lay siege to the Red Fort and climb the flagpole.
While farmer leaders, who have been spearheading the two-month protest at the national capital's border points to demand a repeal of the new farm laws, disowned the protesters, one young man was seen hoisting a yellow triangular flag at the flagpole the centrepiece of the country's Independence Day celebrations.
"Anti-social elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement. We have always held that peace is our biggest strength and that any violation would hurt the movement," the statement said, adding that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha dissociates itself from those who have resorted to violence.
"We condemn and regret the undesirable and unacceptable events that have taken place today and dissociate ourselves from those indulging in such acts,” the statement further said.
The farmers who were supposed to take out a tractor parade on pre-decided routes after the Republic Day event breached both conditions. Clashes and lathi-charges broke out in many places between a section of the protesters, many of them young, vocal and aggressive, and police personnel.
If police used teargas shells to disperse the restive crowds in some places, hundreds of farmers in ITO were seen chasing them with sticks and ramming their tractors into parked buses. A protester died after his tractor overturned.
With inputs from PTI
