British Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi onSaturday warned that "if people in power abuse peaceful protesters, it'llmerely make their movement stronger" after miscreants claiming to belocals incite violence at Singhu border protest site.
"Shocked to see mobs and police trying to intimidate and clear Delhifarmers' protest, after stopping their water, electricity and Internet,"Dhesi tweeted.
He added, "Violence can't be condoned, but if people in power abusepeaceful protesters, it'll merely make their movement stronger."
Earlier, Punjab-origin politician Dhesi had sent a letter, signed by over 100MPs and Lords, to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the ongoing farmers'protests, asking him to raise this matter with his Indian counterpart NarendraModi when they next liaise.
After a clash broke out between protesting farmers and residents of nearbyvillages at Singhu border on Friday afternoon, the area in the vicinity wasturned into a police cantonment as extra police force were immediately deployedto control the situation.
Following the stone-pelting incident, Delhi Police barricaded the area andbarred entry towards the protest site. However, scores of people claiming to belocal residents, most of them holding lathis (sticks) were still present thereand they were seen shouting slogans against protesting farmers.
Many of them who claimed to be the residents of the nearby village spoke toIANS and alleged that the farmers had insulted the national flag during tractorrally on January 26 and their constant presence in the area for over two monthshas caused trouble for the locals.