300 Pak Twitter handles on job to disrupt tractor rally, say cops

New Delhi, January 24

The Delhi Police today claimed that over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan to disrupt the tractor rally proposed by protesting farmers on Republic Day.

Detailing the plan for the tractor parade, Deependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), said the rally would be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day celebrations conclude.

“Over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan during January 13 to 18 to disrupt the tractor rally by farmers by misleading people. There are inputs about the same from different agencies. It will be a challenging task for us, but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over,” Pathak said at a press conference.

Since November last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the Centre’s three new farm laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, demanding that the legislations be repealed.

Pathak said, “As the farmers wanted to do a tractor rally on January 26, we have come to a conclusion that the rally be conducted after the Republic Day celebration ends. We have given them around 170 km of distance on three routes.”

Barricades and other security arrangements will be removed and the farmers will enter the national capital. Later, they will return to their destinations after covering a “respectable” distance, the police said.

“For the Delhi Police, it will be a challenging task. We have spoken to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police officers about how it can be conducted in a convenient way. The rally will be allowed after the Republic Day celebration has ended,” he said.

A professional assessment of the rally routes has been done, he said. The expected number of tractors should be distributed in a way that the rally is conducted in a peaceful and disciplined way, the police said. — PTI