Tikait addresses ‘Panchayat’, alleges police lapses after Jaat student’s murder

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Friday held a ‘Panchayat’ near Asharodi check post in Dehradun to protest the murder of Jaat student Divyanshu Jatrana in the Premnagar area, alleging police negligence and demanding immediate arrest of the accused not yet arrested.

BKU workers from Muzaffarnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun gathered at the protest site, raising concerns over law and order and student safety in the city. The protest follows the killing of Jatrana after a clash between students from rival groups hailing from the Bihari and Jaat communities last week.

Addressing the gathering, BKU national spokesman Rakesh Tikait questioned the delayed police response and opined that timely intervention could have prevented Jatrana’s death. He also said that some of the accused persons in the case remain absconding which he said reflects gaps in police enforcement action.

Tikait further raised concerns over what he described as increasing drug-related activity in Dehradun, warning that such trends pose risks to the city’s student population. He said the issue needs stronger surveillance and policing intervention to prevent further incidents affecting youth.

BKU leaders warned that the agitation could be intensified if the absconding accused are not arrested soon, demanding that strict action be taken against those involved in the case. They urged authorities to ensure accountability and strengthen policing in student-dominated localities.

Dehradun police had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each on the arrest of seven accused in the Jatrana murder case. All the accused in the murder case are absconding and hail from Bihar, the police said.