Tractor rally violence: Trinamool questions security measures at Red Fort

The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday raised questions on the security measures around Red Fort on Republic Day, when the tractor rally by farmers went off the scheduled course and rolled into the Red Fort. Trinamool MP Dinesh Trivedi said that it raises questions on the security not only of a particular area but of the entire nation. “How did the people reach the Red Fort?” he asked.

He said that the poor farmers were protesting in extreme cold peacefully for two months, and it should be probed as to what could have led to such a violent turn. “We are with the farmers and we too demand that the bill should be withdrawn in the interest of the farmers,” Trivedi added. State minister Subrata Mukherjee mentioned that the Centre had been indifferent to the interests of the farmers, and did not take their demands seriously all these days.

Trivedi added that there was no hurry in bringing the law, yet for some unknown reason the Centre pushed the bills. He mentioned that Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien had protested it in Parliament when it was going to be passed, and the Trinamool now wants the bill to be repealed.

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to say: “Deeply disturbed by worrying & painful developments that have unfolded on the streets of Delhi. Centre’s insensitive attitude and indifference towards our farmer brothers & sisters has to be blamed for this situation. First, these laws were passed without taking farmers in confidence. And then despite protests across India & farmers camping near Delhi for last 2 months, they’ve been extremely casual in dealing with them. Centre should engage with the farmers & repeal the draconian laws.”