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R-Day violence: Man seen swinging swords at Red Fort arrestedOver 120 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence across Delhi on January 26, officials said
Shemin Joy
DHNS
Last Updated IST
A farmer holds swords during a protest against farm laws introduced by the government, at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo
A farmer holds swords during a protest against farm laws introduced by the government, at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

A 30-year-old man, who was seen allegedly swinging swords to "motivate and energise" protesters at Red Fort during the violence on Republic Day following farmers' tractor rally has been arrested.

Delhi Police said Maninder Singh was arrested at around 7.45 pm on Tuesday in Pitampura. A car mechanic by profession, Singh also runs a sword training school near his home in Swaroop Nagar in northwest Delhi.

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Two 4.3 feet long swords allegedly used by Singh have been recovered from his house.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah claimed Singh was seen in a video swinging two swords at Red Fort with the "intent of motivating or radicalising and energising violent anti-national elements indulging in brutal assault and attacking" police persons on duty with swords, 'khandas', iron rods, axes and sticks and damage Red Fort.

Singh did a sword dance at the iconic monument and it "motivated violent protesters to cause more mayhem at Red Fort by indulging in all sorts of violence against public servants, including policemen on duty there, and causing damage to the Red Fort", Kushwah claimed.

Police had earlier arrested over 120 people in connection with the violence across Delhi on January 26.

Actor-turned-activist Deep Siddhu was earlier arrested in connection with the conspiracy into the violence in Red Fort on Republic Day.

Police claimed Singh saw a number of provoking Facebook posts of various groups, frequently visited the Singhu border, one of the protest hotspots, and was "highly motivated" by speeches made by farmer leaders there.

Singh also "motivated" six people from the neighbourhood who had accompanied the tractor parade, they claimed.

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(Published 17 February 2021, 13:54 IST)