Lucknow, Oct 22 Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait and fellow farmer leaders held a sit-in outside the Sugarcane Institute here on Thursday evening after its gates were locked ahead of their scheduled meeting, with the protesters demanding access to the premises to hold their deliberations.
The farmers held the protest for around two to three hours outside Gate No. 1 of the institute in the Dali Bagh area, raising slogans against the administration. They said their meeting-related material was not being allowed inside and warned that they would continue the sit-in, even overnight, if the gate remained closed.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Tikait said the farmers had a meeting scheduled at the institute on Friday and had gathered to make arrangements for it.
“Our meeting is scheduled for October 23, but they have closed the gates. Our material was supposed to be taken inside, but it is not being allowed in.
“We are sitting here and will stay until the gate is opened. If necessary, we will spend the night here,” he said.
Tikait said the farmers would hold their meeting outside the gate if they were not allowed inside, adding that they would continue to press for access to the premises even if the meeting had to be postponed.
The farmers’ key demands include an increase in sugarcane prices, clearance of pending cane dues, proper functioning of paddy procurement centres and higher compensation for land acquired for development projects.
Tikait said sugarcane farmers were awaiting payments, including dues from the previous season, and demanded that paddy procurement centres be opened and purchases carried out properly.
He claimed that paddy was being sold at around Rs 1,000 per quintal below the expected rate and raised objections to land acquisition compensation being calculated on the basis of 2013 circle rates despite land being acquired at present.
The BKU spokesperson also flagged issues related to electricity and said the farmers’ meeting would be followed by discussions with officials.
Asked about protests and sit-ins being witnessed in different parts of the country, Tikait alleged that the government was prioritising the interests of industrialists and big business groups over those of ordinary people.
“When the government does not listen to ordinary people, they have to raise their voices loudly and resort to sit-ins and protests. Only then are their concerns heard,” he said.
Tikait also alleged that even organising a meeting had become difficult for farmers, adding that officials would act according to the government’s directions.
Police personnel remained present at the spot throughout the protest. After the sit-in, the institute’s gate was opened.
(PTI News)
