New Delhi: The Delhi Police have detained farmer leader Rakesh Tikait while he was on his way to Jantar Mantar. He was going to meet with the unemployed union demonstrators. He is currently being held by the police at Madhu Vihar police station. He will be released soon, according to Special CP Law and Order Deependra Pathak.
Rakesh Tikait wrote on Twitter, “Delhi Police working at the behest of the government cannot suppress the voice of farmers. This arrest will bring a new revolution. This struggle will continue till the last breath. #willnotstop #willnotgettired #willnotbowdown.”
सरकार के इशारे पर काम कर रही दिल्ली पुलिस किसानों की आवाज को नहीं दबा सकती। यह गिरफ्तारी एक नई क्रांति लेकर आएगी।
यह संघर्ष अंतिम सांस तक जारी रहेगा।#ना रुकेंगे #ना थकेंगे #ना झुकेंगे।@CPDelhi@ani@PTI_News pic.twitter.com/gw4WnFkZHM— Rakesh Tikait (@RakeshTikaitBKU) August 21, 2022
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Farmers reaching Jantar Mantar
At the same time, batches of farmers have started reaching Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for demonstration. Farmers have given a call to reach Jantar Mantar to rope in the aloong with protestors. Most of the farmers belong to the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Siddhupura. They have reached Bahadurgarh. They have boarded the train coming from Ferozepur.
Plan to meet the President
The farmers said that they will first be visiting Tikri border where they have agitated for around 13 months. Following this they planning to go to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar where they will be joining the ongoing protests. They also seek to handover a memorandum to the President Droupadi Murmu on Monday.
Injustice with farmers in various cases
The farmers claim that the government has betrayed them. Reason being the Electricity Bill 2022 was introduced without consulting farmer organizations. They claim this was a plot to stop the farmers’ access to affordable electricity. The guarantee of MSP and justice for the farmers slaughtered in Lakhimpur Khiri have been withheld from them.
The farmers claim that they have only come for a one day demonstration. They have not yet arrived to present a resolute front at the borders of Delhi in order to warn the government.
Farmers may regroup in Delhi if need be
The farmers said that if needed, they will again put up a firm front in Delhi. They will not come in hiding but will come openly telling the government. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has become active after the arrival of farmers in large numbers.
Cemented barricades have been put up at Tikri border in Delhi. The road has been narrowed. Checking of vehicles has also been started, so that farmers can be stopped from gathering in Delhi. Delhi Police has also held meetings with Haryana Police regarding the same.