To weed out right-wingers, volunteers screen farmers living in Ghazipur tents

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

Ghazipur, February 7

The Kisan Andolan Committee at the Ghazipur border has started to check the antecedents of the protestors staying at the site.

Volunteer groups have begun visiting those staying in the tents and check the documents, including Aadhaar cards of the residents. In addition, the volunteers have been asked to note down details, including the names of their villages and whether they have come at the behest of their local district presidents of the kisan unions.

The measures are being taken after Bhartiya Kisan Union national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait called to weed out right-wing elements who have been staying at the protest site in the garb of farmers.

“We will identify those who are staying here as farmers. They will be found and asked to leave soon,” Tikait had said on Saturday. “Un sab ka ilaj hoga (They will be taught a lesson),” he added.

As per Jagtar Singh Bajwa, member, Kisan Andolan Committee, these checks will be a huge deterrent to those who have begun to take the protest site as a picnic spot.

“It is a message to one and all that this is a protest site and only people with genuine intentions will be allowed to stay here,” Bajwa said, adding: “Today was the first day and already, our volunteers have found a few who have no business to be here,” he added.

The team led by BKU’s Uttar Pradesh youth president Digambar Singh started the drive early on Sunday.

“We have started to ask for Aadhaar cards from those who are staying at the Ghazipur protest site,” a volunteer said.

“We take the information and check with their local contacts, including aila pramukhs to try and find out whether they have genuine business being here or not,” he added.