Shrikant Tyagi case: A major congregation of the Tyagi community was held in Uttar Pradesh's Noida on Sunday morning in support of jailed self-proclaimed politician Shrikant Tyagi who has been booked for assaulting a woman and misusing state government symbols on his car. The congregation started around 10 am at the Ramlila ground in Gejha village on the call of locals even as hundreds of community members from parts of western Uttar Pradesh like Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Hapur reached here for the programme.
"Humare gaon mein BJP netaon ka pravesh band hai (Entry of BJP politicians is prohibited in our village," read a banner displayed at the entry of Gejha village which announced the 'Mahapanchayat'.
Police officials said security has been stepped up in Noida with deployment of hundreds of policemen and rapid action force (RAF) personnel being pressed into duty over law and order concerns. Security has also been stepped up at the offices and hospitals belonging to Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Mahesh Sharma in a precautionary measure.
The Tyagi community is believed to be unhappy with Sharma over his role during the Shrikant Tyagi episode earlier this month. They are also upset over Sharma's alleged use of derogatory words against the community, even as the former union minister has denied making such remarks.
Union Minister Sanjiv Balyan has offered to talk saying, "Tyagi community has always voted for us. So if there is anything, we'll sit & talk with them."
Also Read | Shrikant Tyagi's played hide-and-seek game with Police for more than 48 hrs. How was he caught then
Meanwhile, traffic was diverted on several routes in Noida in view of the event as scores of people landed in cars, motorcycles, and tractors from parts of western UP for the Mahapanchayat.
Shrikant Tyagi was arrested on August 9 from Meerut after he remained absconding for four days after assaulting and abusing a woman co-resident of his Grand Omaxe society in Sector 93B. Until he went underground, Tyagi had claimed to be a BJP functionary but the party had denied any links with him.
Also Read | Shrikant Tyagi denied bail in Noida woman assault-abuse case, next hearing on August 16
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