Tikait's arrest inevitable: UP govt

Lucknow, Apr 1 (UNI) Amid rumours of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Mahendra Singh Tikait going 'underground' after the Uttar Pradesh government started a fresh effort for his arrest, the state government claimed he will not be spared and his arrest is 'inevitable.' The conflict between the BKU supporters and the police continued for the second day after an arrest warrant under SC/ST Act was issued against Tikait for using objectionable remarks against chief minister Mayawati.

State principal secretary (home) J N Chamber told mediapersons here that Inspector General of police (IG) Gurudarshan Singh along with additional Circle Officer(CO) and SDMs have been rushed to Muzaffarnagar to control the situation.

Mr Chamber said the rule of law would prevail at any cost and it is the responsibility of the administration to arrest a person against whom a case had been registered.

Denying that the government had rushed Commandos or sought any assistance from NSG to arrest the farmer leader, he said people should not take law in their hand and cooperate with the administration.

About 20 companies of PAC along with a strong contingent of Rapid Act Force (RAF) was camping near the village of Tikait waiting for go ahead signal from the higher authorities to arrest the leader.

Meanwhile, a report from Muzaffarnagar said tension prevailed in Tikait's native village Sisauli and people surrounding his residence have made all preparation to prevent his arrest.

However, since 1400 hours today, Tikait who is otherwise easily accesible to the mediapersons camping at his village, could not be seen and some of his close confidant even hinted that he has left the village for an undisclosed destination.

BKU supporters on the other hand have blocked all the entry points to Sisauli by overturning the bullock carts and tractor-trolleys in an effort to prevent the police from entering the village.

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