Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), on Friday alleged that the Uttarakhand Police has lost control over criminal activities in the state.
Tikait was in Dehradun along with a large number of farmers to attend a condolence meeting and mahapanchayat protesting the killing of student Divyanshu Jatrana a few days ago.
Tension continued in Dehradun nearly 10 days after the killing of Divyanshu Jatrana, an engineering student from Muzaffarnagar. Outraged by the student’s death, family members and farmers led by Tikait intensified their protest, demanding justice at a mahapanchayat.
Scores of union workers and farmers from western Uttar Pradesh marched towards the Uttarakhand capital to protest the killing.
Addressing the BKU mahapanchayat, Tikait alleged that the Uttarakhand Police has failed to curb the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, especially in Dehradun.
He said this has resulted in a series of unabated killings in recent months and demanded strict punishment for the accused.
The BKU leader said, “This is Devbhumi, and the government must do everything to save it from the clutches of criminals who are having a free run.” He had reached Dehradun along with a large number of farmers to participate in the protest march and prayer meeting to mourn Divyanshu’s death.
During the prayer meeting, Divyanshu’s grandfather broke down in tears and urged the Uttarakhand government and the police to ensure the harshest punishment for the accused.
Tikait also stated that the rising incidents of crime against students in Dehradun are a matter of serious concern. He claimed that the manner in which a group of students killed Divyanshu Jatrana has created a sense of insecurity among other students in the city.