BKU leaders, policemen clash in Uttar Pradesh

Sisoli (Uttar Pradesh) Mar 31 : At least 24 people, including policemen and activists of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), were injured in a clash in Sisoli in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

The incident followed an attempt by the police to search for BKU leader Mahender Singh Tikait and arrest him for his alleged derogatory remarks against UP Chief Minister Mayawati.

Police had registered a case against Tikait under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act on Sunday.

BKU members resorted to stone pelting against the policemen who came to the town to arrest Tikait.

Police forces of Districts Bijnore and Muzaffarnagar along with the Rapid Action Force reached in Sisoli in the wee hours where BKU members pelted stones and fired shops injuring the Bijnore's Superintendent of Police, Gyan Singh and Additional Superintendent of Police, Man Singh Chauhan, besides others.

Police retaliated by using teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The Rapid Action Force was deployed to bring the situation under control

Lucknow Additional Director General of Police, Brijlal said, "Police is still making efforts to arrest Mahender Singh Tikait."

Rakesh Tikait, the BKU leader's son, has told reporters that the BKU activists would not allow the police to arrest their leader and warned of dire consequences if the State Government sought to do so.

The situation in Sisoli continues to remain tense.

ANI