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NEW DELHI: Thousands of Indian farmers fought pitched battles with police across New Delhi on Tuesday, as they took protests against agriculture reforms into the capital during a giant Republic Day military parade.
Police laid on one of their biggest security operations in years in a bid to keep demonstrators away. However, after barging through barricades on main roads into the city, convoys of farmers on tractors took over Delhi landmarks and debris-strewn streets were left in clouds of tear gas.
The farmers put up their own emblem on the flagpole at the 400-year-old Red Fort where India’s tri-colour normally flies on national days before being chased out by security forces. It was earlier reported that Khalistan flag was hoisted atop the Red Fort. However, upon investigation, it was found to be the ‘Nishan Sahib’, which bears a close resemblance to the Khalistan flag but has a very different symbolic meaning.
A youth from Tara Singh village of Tarn Taran district in Punjab state is believed to be the protester who hoisted the Nishan Sahib at the Red Fort amid the violence during the tractor parade.
A video of the relatives of the youth expressing happiness for unfurling the flag at the Red Fort is now going viral on social media. In the video, the father and grandfather of the youth is heard showering praises on him for showing bravery.
The Nishan Sahib is a saffron-coloured flag that is hoisted on every gurudwara and has a blue Sikh insignia, called ‘Khanda’, in the middle. The insignia consists of a double-edged sword and a chakram (or chakra).
Hundreds of protesters were seen pelting stones at police personnel and vandalising buses, prompting the cops to use tear gas and baton-charged to disperse them. As night fell, the Red Fort was secured and the flags removed while protesters were made to vacate the premises.
Delhi Police has registered 22 FIRs in connection with the violence while video clips and CCTV footage of those who stormed the Red Fort and caused damage to government property were also being scanned.
#WATCH A protestor hoists a flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi#FarmLaws #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/Mn6oeGLrxJ
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
