Delhi police detains Rakesh Tikait; stops him from reaching Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: Rakesh Tikait, a farmer leader, was stopped by the Delhi Police on Sunday as he entered the capital to take part in a rally against unemployment.

According to a Delhi Police source, Tikait was detained at Ghazipur while en route to Jantar Mantar.

"Thereafter, he was detained and taken to Madhu Vihar police station where the police spoke to him and requested him to return," he said.

Tikait, a prominent member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), claimed the Delhi police was acting on orders from the Central Government.

"The Delhi Police working at the behest of the government cannot suppress the voice of the farmers. This arrest will bring a new revolution. This struggle will continue till the last breath. Won't stop, won't get tired, won't bow down," Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai condemned Tikait's detention.

"Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was on his way to the employment movement but was stopped by the police at the border itself. This is very despicable," Rai tweeted in Hindi.

The SKM and other farmers' groups are organising a 'mahapanchayat' at the Jantar Mantar on Monday and they will pass through the jurisdiction of the outer district, which includes Ghazipur border in Ghaziabad.

"In this connection, adequate deployment of local police and outside force will be made in the area of Outer District at Tikri border, major intersections, along the railway tracks and metro station to avoid any untoward incident.

Moreover, a full proof law and order arrangement has already been issued in this regard," said Sameer Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer Delhi).

With PTI inputs