In Noida, farmers allege police officers misbehaved with them; probe on

NOIDA: Farmers from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) have alleged that they were misbehaved with and manhandled by the local police in Jewar, following which a probe was ordered and a sub-inspector was recalled to the police lines.

The incident took place on Sunday when a member of the Tikait faction of the BKU was allegedly assaulted and manhandled by the Jahangirpur police post in-charge.

The victim was identified as Sandeep Choudhary, a volunteer with the BKU’S Tikait faction in

Greater Noida who alleged that he was abused, assaulted and manhandled by a local officer without any reason. The allegations were shared on social media and more than 200 farmers gathered at the police post on Sunday to express their displeasure with the local police.

“They wanted due action and a legal case in the matter,” said Dharmendra Malik, spokesperson, BKU Tikait group.

Following the incident, a probe was ordered into the matter by the Noida police commissionerate.

“The group was dispersed amicably from the police post in-charge and the sub-inspector was recalled to the police lines,” said additional deputy commissioner of police, Zone 3, Vishal Pandey.

Members of the group also came to Noida’s Dalit Prerna Sthal on Monday to lend their support to the Lokshakti faction, which has been camped at the spot since December 1.

“This is a collective fight of all farmers and we wanted to show our support to our brothers here. We will not let the government or the administration divide us in our struggles,” said Malik.

Farmers camped in Noida also observed Monday as Mahila Kisan Diwas. “We were joined by several supporters and the proceedings of the day were carried out by our women members. We all may be from different factions, but we are united in our fight against the government. No one will return home till our issues are resolved,” said Shailesh Kumar Giri, national spokesperson, Lokshakti.

Meanwhile, members of the BKU Bhanu group continue their sit-in at the Chilla border, keeping traffic from Noida to Delhi diverted via the DND flyway.

Farmers have been protesting for seven weeks now against the three new farm laws which have been stayed for now by the Supreme Court.