India: Tikait to address Farmars in Maharashtra on Feb 20

 Farmers Protest n Tikait

Nagpur, Feb 12 (PTI) Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait will hold 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' and a public rally in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra on February 20, an office-bearer of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has said.

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions protesting at various Delhi border points against three farm laws.

Its Maharashtra co-ordinator Sandip Gidde told PTI on Thursday that Tikait, Yudveer Singh and several other leaders of the SKM will hold the Kisan Mahapanchayat and the public meeting at Azad Maidan in Yavatmal city on February 20.

"Tikaitwants to start the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Maharashtra from Yavatmal, which has earned the dubious distinction of being the hotspot of farmers' suicides," he said.

Farmers from Vidarbha and parts of Maharashtra are expected to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat, for which permission has been sought from the authorities.

A police official from Yavatmal said the organisers of have sought permission for the event.