UPDATE - India: Farmers capture Red Fort on Republic Day

UPDATES WITH REVISED HEADLINE, INTRO; ADDS MORE DETAILS; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - Hundreds of protesting farmers managed to enter the historic Red Fort in the capital on Tuesday and hoist yellow flags on the dome as one person was killed when the police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse them.

Thousands of farmers were protesting in tractors against the farmers' laws on the day India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day. The protestors were still around the Red Fort till the filing of this report on Tuesday evening.

According to local private broadcaster NDTV, police claimed that the farmer died in a road accident, not during the demonstration. Farmers, however, said one protester got a bullet and died.

The police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators on their way to the Red Fort where the Republic Day was celebrated. Soon after the Republic Day celebrations, hundreds of demonstrators managed to enter the fort and hoist the yellow flag, the holy flag of the Sikh faith.

The protesting farmers in a massive "tractor rally" started moving to the capital from different borders, where they set up their protest camps. The farmers were granted formal permission for the rally on Sunday.

On condition of anonymity, a Delhi police official told Anadolu Agency that the situation turned violent when the protesters moved to a road that was not approved.

Three agriculture laws passed by the country's parliament in September last year sparked protests, with thousands of farmers camping on the borders around New Delhi demanding their rollback.

- India displays military might at Republic Day

The military strength and social diversity were demonstrated during the official event to mark the Republic Day of India in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was no chief guest for the first time in decades this year. However, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind hoisted the national flag with a 21-gun salute in the background.

Unlike in previous years, the number of people attending the main function held in the capital New Delhi was lower.

A total of 32 tableaux, including 17 from different states and unions depicting the country’s cultural heritage and defense, were on display during the Tuesday event, which was also attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Tuesday morning, a 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces led the contingent march in the morning, while the newly-inducted Rafale Jets also soared through the skies at a speed of 900 kms per hour.

Earlier on Monday, addressing the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Kovind said: “The country is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world.”

In his address, he also mentioned the farmers, who are holding a protest rally against the three agriculture laws passed by the government last year and thousands of farmers camping at the borders around the capital New Delhi demanding their rollback

“All our farmers, soldiers, and scientists deserve special appreciation and a grateful nation greets them on this auspicious occasion of the Republic Day,” said Kovind.

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