Stopped from meeting jailed farmers, SP leaders say BJP stifling democracy

GREATER NOIDA: A Samajwadi Party delegation, on its way to meet jailed farmers at Luksar jail in Greater Noida, was stopped by police at the DND Flyway on Thursday, informed a police spokesperson.

- Maria Khan

That led to a heated exchange between the delegation members and the police, following which the 16-member delegation headed to the Samajwadi Party district office in Surajpur, where they met with the families of the jailed farmers.

The delegation, comprising prominent SP leaders Naresh Uttam Patel and Harendra Malik, and Sudhir Bhati, among others, assured the families of the party's unwavering support in their fight for justice.

The delegation, which gathered on the DND Flyway and was headed towards Greater Noida, was stopped near Pari Chowk. Police clarified that only family members were allowed to visit jail inmates, said party representatives.

"Police stopped the delegation at the DND flyover and told us that we cannot meet farmers in jail; only their families are allowed to meet them. The incident prompted a heated exchange between police and the delegation, which included several MPs from Uttar Pradesh," said Ashray Gupta, Samajwadi Party's Noida president.

Later, the delegation met the district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma and joint police commissioner Shivhari Meena to demand the unconditional release of jailed farmers.

Verma assured them that steps would be taken for their prompt release.

Samajwadi Party MP Harendra Malik condemned the BJP government for blocking their visit, and termed it a violation of democratic rights.