Farmers’ protest continues, march to Ghazipur border today

Showing an unrelenting mood, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait, who called a Mahapanchayat in Muzffarnagar on Friday, announced to intensify agitation appealing to the farmers to march to Ghazipur border on Saturday. Addressing a mammoth crowd of farmers at the Government Inter College, Naresh Tikait announced to continue the agitation till farms laws are withdrawn. “Today you go to your homes but tomorrow you all march to Ghazipur border to join the farmers’ sit-in,” he appealed.

Earlier, the BKU president had announced to withdraw the agitation on Thursday afternoon. But he showed a volte face after ‘emotional outburst’ of Rakesh Tikait on Thursday evening when the police forcibly attempted to remove him along with other protesters after snapping power and water supplies. “I had announced to withdraw the agitation but we are hurt after police lathicharge and brutality. Rakesh has given a new lease of life to the agitation. You all continue to show solidarity and we will teach the government a lesson,” he declared.

“We voted for the government in Delhi and state, now we will not allow them to enter our villages. It was a major mistake not to support Chowdhary Ajit Singh. We will not commit that blunder again. Agar jhande se nahi maane to danda chalega (If the government is not moved by flags, we will use sticks),” he warned.

Muzffaragar in Western UP, well known as the Jaatland, has become a new epicentre of the farmers’ protest and changing political equations in the state. The Rashtriya Lok Dal Vice-President Jayant Chowdhary, AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and several leaders from the Samajwadi Party and Congress were present during the Mahapanchayat.

Earlier, Jayant Chowdhary visited Ghazipur border and met Rakesh Tikait to extend his party’s support. Hitting out at the Union Home Minister, Jayant said Amit Shah should show sympathy towards farmers injured in the lathicharge and clashes.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also spoke to Rakesh Tikait on Friday to support the BKU agitation.

Entire Muzaffarnagar came to a halt due to the Mahapanchayat. Courts, offices, markets were shut. The administration even locked 3 police stations on the route of rallyists as a precautionary measure. Extra police force was called in from adjoining districts to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, the state govt is likely to seal borders of the districts to check movement of farmers on Saturday during the tractor.