BKU leader Tikait arrested in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, Apr 2: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Mahendra Singh Tikait, charged with using ''objectionable language'' against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, was today arrested by the state Police, three days after he fled to his native place Sisauli in Muzaffarnagar.

''Tikait was arrested from his son's residence in Sisauli. An FIR was lodged against him under the provisions of SC and ST Act, '' Inspector General of Police (IGP), Law and Order, UP, Bhanu Pratap Singh told the sources here. The BKU leader was being taken to Bijnore where he would be presented in a local court, he added. Tikait was charged with using ''objectionable language'' against Ms Mayawati at a rally in Bijnore on March 30 last. Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against him but the attempts by the police to arrest him failed due to stiff resistance from the BKU workers, who indulged in violence.

Several policemen were injured during the three-day violence that erupted between the administration and the BKU members. Yesterday, the UP government deployed a team of senior officers to effect Takait's arrest. Rakesh and Surendra, two sons of the BKU chief, had already been arrested for inciting the mob against the police.

Mr Singh said the arrest was made as the police had mounted a lot of pressure on him.

All major political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, had come out in support of the BKU leader and condemned the Mayawati government's action against him.

UNI