The Ghazipur police have withdrawn the orders issued by two police stations, asking petrol pumps to stop giving fuel to tractors, in view of the proposed tractor rally on 26 January, as part of the farmers' agitation.
The Samajwadi Party had shared a news report on Twitter that said farmers are being kept under house arrest by the UP Police, in order to restrain them from participating in the 26 January tractor rally.
Superintendent of Police, Ghazipur Om Prakash Singh, said he was shocked when he learnt about the orders issued by those in-charge of the Suhwal and Saidpur police stations, and has asked ASP (rural) to probe the matter.
He also made it clear that no such restrictions have been imposed in the district.
The SP said he had issued directions to ensure movement of fully fit tractors on roads, especially highways, to prevent accidents in view of the ongoing Road Safety Month, but this order was misinterpreted by cops of the two police stations.
Police officials at Suhwal police station issued an order asking petrol pumps not to give fuel to tractors.
This order stated, "In view of 26 January, high alert has been sounded in the state and prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC are effective. In view of the possibility of farmers taking out tractor rallies, a ban is imposed on movement of tractors. You are directed to stop giving oil to tractors, in drums or containers from 22 January till 26 in order to maintain peace."
The Saidpur police, on the other hand, imposed complete ban on movement of tractors on the highway till 26 January.
Saidpur inspector started issuing notices to tractor owners mentioning that in view of the national festival, flag marches and movement of school children on roads, movement of tractors will not be allowed. If any tractor is found on the road during checking as part of road safety week, legal action would be initiated against them.
The matter came to light after the Samajwadi Party wrote on Twitter that, "To stop the Farmers' tractor parade, which will take place on 26 January, the BJP government is keeping the farmers of Purvanchal under house arrest and stopping petrol pumps from giving diesel to them. In the greed of corporates, the blind government is doing all sorts of atrocities on the Annadata."
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh condemned the move by the UP government and said that no administrative high handedness should be practiced against farmers.
(This story has been published in an arrangement with IANS)
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