Delhi Police announce Rs 1 lakh reward for information on Deep Sidhu, other accused in Republic Day violence

The Delhi Police on Wednesday announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to arrest of actor-activist Deep Sidhu, who is accused of instigating crowds during farmers’ tractor rally on January 26, and three other protesters.

“Delhi Police announce cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each for information leading to arrest of Deep Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh & Gurjant Singh and Rs 50,000 each for arrest of Jajbir Singh, Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh & Iqbal Singh for their alleged involvement in January 26 violence,” news agency ANI reported. (Live updates)

The more than 2-month long farmers’ protest had been peaceful till January 26. On Republic Day violence broke out during the tractor rally as protesters deviated from a pre-decided path and clashed with police at central Delhi’s ITO and Red Fort. Deep Sidhu is accused of leading the crowds to Red Fort and egging on people to hoist religious flags there.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of Delhi against the three laws — the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act.

The protesters call these laws anti-farmer and allege that they will lead to the corporatisation of agriculture.