Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

Ghazipur, January 28

Tension escalated at Ghazipur bordering Delhi today with BKU national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait defying orders by the local administration to vacate the protest site and the Congress and RLD backing the farm union.

Tikait, among 37 leaders booked by Delhi Police for the Republic Day incidents, alleged there was a plot to “attack and kill” farmers and refused to budge despite Ghaziabad DM’s orders to clear the site by night.

“Police officials are here to take us away and a BJP MLA is waiting with supporters to attack and kill farmers,” Tikait claimed. “Anyone from the BJP will be taken hostage. I will hang myself but won’t call off protests until the farm laws are repealed,” he warned as police deployment at the site increased. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RLD chief Ajit Singh backed Tikait.

Tharoor, Sardesai booked for sedition

The UP Police have booked Congress’ Shashi Tharoor and six scribes, including Rajdeep Sardesai and Mrinal Pande, for sedition by way of ‘provocative’ posts.