New Delhi: Against the backdrop of a planned tractor rally called by agitating farmers on January 26, a former supercop and senior IPS officer Maxwell Pareira told ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview that had he been at the topmost post, would not have allowed such a rally.
"I wonder because I would not, if I was in the chair, I would not have permitted them to get tractors inside Delhi. It's not safe. And Delhi's infrastructure can't take such an influx of tractors," said Pereira.
Pereira was the officer who cracked the sensational tandoor murder case of 1995 where a young lady Naina Sahni was killed by her husband Sushil Sharma, the then youth leader and Congress MLA.
Pereira was also awarded the President's Police Medal for his distinguished services.
He was talking to ETV Bharat on issues relating to ongoing farmers agitation and NIA notices being served to several people including farmer leaders who are associated with the agitation.
"I suppose the agency (NIA) that has given notice to the agitating farmers are sufficient to bar them entering the national capital. That's my only reaction as I don't know what is the investigation about. I don't know the reason for which notice was given to them," said Pereira.
In fact, NIA has served notices to at least 40 people including farmers leaders, businessmen, journalists, social activists for their alleged link with the banned Sikh For Justice (SFJ) organisation.
Referring to the proposed tractor rally of farmers, the supercop said that it might be a coincidence that the rally has been proposed on Republic Day.
The farmers are in talks with the Delhi police seeking permission for the tractor rally.
When asked on the reports that separatists might try to take advantage of the ongoing agitation, Pereira said, "Anyone can do whatever to take advantage of a situation when an opportunity strike."
Reports suggest that Khalistani extremists might try to take advantage of ongoing farmers agitation to create chaos.
The Union Home Ministry has recently asked the central intelligence agencies to keep a close watch on the activities and developments along with the border areas in connection with the present agitation.
The government anticipated that there is a possibility where the situation may turn volatile.
"They (agitators) have numbers, they have vehicles...they can cause congestion, they can cause obstructions and hurdles, and these are potential enough to cause violence," said Pereira.
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