Prayagraj: A large number of farmers gathered at a mahapanchayat organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) near All Saints Catherdal in Civil Lines on Tuesday, raising concerns over a range of issues affecting the farming community and rural population. However, BKU national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, who was expected to attend the gathering, could not make it due to unspecified reasons.The gathering was held amid tight security arrangements. Police and RAF personnel were deployed around the venue, with barricades put up at key points to regulate movement and ensure the event remained peaceful. Several farmers also arrived with tractors, which were parked at a designated location by the administration.BKU leaders said the mahapanchayat was aimed at highlighting issues related to farmers, youth and rural communities. Participants raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Kisan’ while leaders outlined their demands, including timely availability of fertilisers, a halt to power sector privatisation and uninterrupted electricity supply in rural areas.The union also called for replacing faulty smart meters with manual meters, reviewing the India-US trade deal, and addressing concerns related to employment and education for youths. Other demands included preventing land acquisition without farmers’ consent, ensuring justice for affected landowners and fulfilling commitments made to farmers impacted by the Bara power plant.BKU leaders also sought measures to protect crops from stray cattle, a halt to the merger of primary schools and reconstruction of dilapidated school buildings. They said resolutions on these issues would be adopted and a future course of action discussed.
