NEW DELHI, Jan 27: Within minutes of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKMS) and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) leader VM Singh announced withdrawal from the farmers’ agitation in protest against Republic Day violence in Delhi, his claims were contradicted by the AIKSCC.
The AIKSCC national general secretary Avik Saha questioning Singh’s authority said the organization continue to remain part of the protest agitation by the farmers. “AIKSCC has not withdrawn support to the farmers’ agitation as stated by AIKSCC ex-convenor VM Singh to a section the media. VM Singh has no authority to issue such a statement,” said Saha.
Earlier in the day, Singh while announcing withdrawal of his organization from the stir had also lamed some other farmers’ leaders, particularly Rakesh Tikait, for the violence.
“We can’t carry forward a protest with someone whose direction is something else. So, I wish them the best but Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan is withdrawing from this protest right away,” Singh had said.
Leaders cutting across political spectrum had condemned the violence, but many of them blamed the central government for not listening to the farmers, who have been protesting near Delhi for more than two months now.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder appealed to the farmers on Tuesday to return to their sit-ins at border areas. He also said that the violence will “negate the goodwill generated by peacefully protesting farmers”.
Meanwhile, the Delhi police is learnt to have named 37 farmer leaders including Medha Patkar and Buta Singh responsible for yesterday’s violence, in one of the FIRs by Delhi Police. FIR states that acts like not following mutually agreed route & timing of farmers’ rally to disrupt R-Day parade were committed leading to the violence.
(Manas Dasgupta)
