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A team of six forensic scientists from Gujarat on Sunday, 31 January, examined areas in and around the ITO junction in central Delhi - one of several spots in the national capital that witnessed violence during the farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers' agitation.
Internet services have been suspended in Delhi's border areas, including Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, from 11 pm on 29 January to 11 pm on 31 January to ‘maintain public safety and avert public emergency’, an order by the Union Home Ministry said.
Thousands of farmers gathered for a "mahapanchayat" in Baghpat's Baraut in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
The "sarv khap mahapanchayat" took place at the Tehsil ground with farmers pouring in from nearby districts as well in tractor-trollies, many of which were decked up with music systems, the tricolour and farmer unions' flags.
The Haryana government has extended suspension of mobile internet services in 14 districts till 5 pm on 1 February to "prevent any disturbance of peace and public order" amid protests by farmers.
A team of six forensic scientists from Gujarat on Sunday examined areas in and around the ITO junction in central Delhi - one of several spots in the national capital that witnessed violence during the farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day.
The FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team will also examine the 400-year-old Mughal-era Red Fort, reports NDTV.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers' agitation.
Prior to Badal's arrival, Bharat Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait announced that no politicians will be given the microphone to speak on the main stage, claiming that he has received a notice for allowing political leaders to take up the stage and address protesters in the last few days.
Badal met Tikait for ten minutes near the protest site, and assured support to the protesting farmers.
Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha writes to Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh saying," AAP demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides."
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait on Sunday said that protesting farmers will honour the dignity of prime minister, but are also committed to protect their own self-respect, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was just a "phone call away" for talks with them.
Tikait said the government should "release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks".
"A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure," he told PTI at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced that he would call an all-party meeting on February 2 to evolve a consensus on the way forward on the issue of the farm laws and the farmers' agitation in the light of the recent developments in Delhi.
The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in Punjab Bhawan, an official spokesperson told IANS.
The meeting will discuss the situation arising out of the recent developments in the ongoing farmers' agitation in Delhi, especially in view of the Republic Day violence, the Singhu border attack on farmers, and the massive vilification campaign against them.
Quoting police sources, The Indian Express reported that the initial probe by the Delhi Police into the vandalism at Red Fort has indicated that at least five of those identified have criminal records in Punjab and were picked up by state police earlier.
Security deployment continues at Singhu border as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws enters 67th day, ANI reported. Heavy security was reported at Ghazipur border as well.
Total 38 FIRs registered and 84 people arrested so far in connection with 26 January violence, said Delhi Police, reported ANI.
Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal on Saturday urged people to join the peaceful protest in Delhi, but not get provoked by those trying to instigate.
"We should keep in mind that we're not going to war. This is our country and our government," he was quoted as saying by ANI in Chandigarh.
A team of forensic experts reached the Red Fort on Saturday to collect evidence in connection with the violence during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day, an official said, reported PTI.
The issues surrounding the farmers' agitation were raised at an all-party meeting on the Budget Session chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, with the PM reportedly saying the Centre's proposal to the protesting farmers on the agriculture laws still stands.
The government has been continuously trying to resolve the issues of protesting farmers through talks, the PM said in the meeting, according to sources cited by PTI.
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Internet services have been suspended in Delhi's border areas, including Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, from 11 pm on 29 January to 11 pm on 31 January to ‘maintain public safety and avert public emergency’.
Citing the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety Rules 2017) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Home Ministry, in its order, said, "In exercise of the power conferred under sub-rule 1 of rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) rules 2017, 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 of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi from 11 pm on 29 January to 11 pm on 31 January."
Both the carriageways of NH-24, to and from Ghaziabad and Ghazipur border, have been shut, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Saturday.
The Ghazipur border is witnessing a massive protest by farmers against the three farm laws.
There is heavy security deployment at the Singhu border, a day after the protest site saw violence.
As the sit-in at the Ghazipur border continued at full steam on Friday, the UP authorities said that security deployment at the site was increased to see that any miscreant doesn't enter the protest and creates a ruckus.
"But few people made the assumption that we're going to use force. We said that we'll have discussion before coming to a conclusion, and it's underway," the ADG (Law and Order) said.
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