By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Apr: Dehradun witnessed a massive outpouring of anger and grief as thousands of farmers, led by farmer leader Rakesh Tikait today gathered at the Asarodi Check Post to protest against the killing of student Divyanshu Jatarana. It may be recalled that Divyanshu Jatarana was killed in an incident on 23 March in Premnagar here following a violent clash between two student groups. His killing has continued to stir outrage across Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh. What began as a condolence meeting today soon transformed into a large-scale demonstration demanding justice for the slain student.
Farmers from districts including Baghpat, Shamli, Meerut, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Bijnor in addition to farmers also from Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun in Uttarakhand joined the protest in huge numbers. They paid tribute to Divyanshu and raised slogans demanding strict action against those responsible. Anger was also directed at the rising crime and drug trade in Dehradun, which they alleged is deliberately being ignored by the authorities.
The gathering turned emotional when Divyanshu’s grandfather Harbir Singh broke down before the media. He stated that the family had lost its support and now sought only justice. He urged the administration to take firm action against the accused.
Addressing the protest, Rakesh Tikait said Dehradun, once known as a peaceful city of education, is now losing its image due to increasing crime. He warned that, if such incidents continue, parents would hesitate to send their children here for studies. Expressing grave concern over what he claimed as growing drug trade in the state and particularly in Dehradun, Tikait alleged that such activities cannot flourish without deliberate ignorance and negligence on part of the police. He particularly questioned the easy availability of drugs near educational institutions and demanded immediate curbs.
Tikait further criticised the police for straying from their primary duties, claiming that criminals are gaining confidence while outsiders dealing in properties are becoming active in the state. He also raised concerns about migration from the hills and the plight of farmers, stating that locals are leaving while outsiders are settling in the state and claimed that the farmers are not receiving fair prices for their crops.
