Punjab govt announces Rs 2 lakh each for 83 protesters arrested in tractor rally violence on Republic Day

The Punjab government has announced that it will provide financial help to 83 people arrested by Delhi Police for the violence that broke out in the national capital during a tractor rally taken out by protesting farmers on Republic Day. The move is set to kick off a fresh political battle between the Punjab government and Centre.

“Reiterating My Govt’s stand to support the ongoing #FarmersProtest against three black farm laws, We have decided to give Rs 2 lakh compensation to 83 people arrested by Delhi Police for carrying out a tractor rally in the national capital on 26th January, 2021,” Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted on Friday.

On January 26 this year, a tractor rally by farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws was allowed on certain routes of Delhi after talks between Delhi Police and farmer unions. However, violence broke out after groups reached the Red Fort and overran the police. The police have said the protesters did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled flags from its ramparts.