Farmers Movement Archive

Wardha farmers leaders booked for protest meet

Wardha: A case has been filed against farmer leaders of Wardha Jilha Shetkari-Kamgar Samanvay Samiti at City police station. A meeting of farmers leaders from New Delhi was planned at Bajaj Square on Saturday, where hundreds of farmers gathered despite Covid restrictions, though main speaker Rakesh Tikait had not come. In support of the farmers' agitation in New Delhi, a protest has been going on for the last 68 days at Bajaj Square by more than 40 organizations in Wardha. The agitation is being carried out under the name Wardha Jilha Shetkari-Kamgar Andolan Samanvay Samiti. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was scheduled to visit the agitation tent on Saturday. Due to rise in coronavirus cases in city and district, district collector Prerana Deshbhratar has imposed restrictions on gatherings of more than 5 persons, all rallies or any social events. Meanwhile, police refused permission for the public gathering when permission for the meeting was sought from the committee. Rakesh Tikait did not attend the meeting as his visit was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. However, some farmer leaders from New Delhi who are colleagues of Tikait arrived in the city, and a bike rally was held from Dhuniwale Math to Bajaj Square. Hundreds of farmers from the district attended the meeting. As a result, city police filed a case against farmer leader Avinash Kakde, Anil Javade, Neeraj Gujar, Mangesh Shende, Gajendra Surkar, and Shrikant Taral for violating the Covid restriction order. Police said section 144 has been enforced in the district due to increase in coronavirus cases. Cops have filed a case against the leaders under Sections 188, 269 of IPC and Section 51 (b) of the Disaster Management Act for violating the rules.

The Times of India

2021-02-22

Nagpur