The Kisan Ekta Morcha on Saturday took to Twitter to state that farm leader and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait had been arrested in Delhi. Minutes later, the Delhi Police countered the claim, dubbing it as being 'fake news'.
"Fake news! News related to arrest of Rakesh Tikait is incorrect. Pl stay away from such fake news/tweets. Action will be taken for spreading such false news/tweets," read a post from the DCP East Delhi in response to the post by the official protest handle.
The news came as the protesters camped out along Delhi's borders undertook rallies and marches to mark seven months of the ongoing agitation against three contentious farm laws. June 26 is being observed as 'Save Farming, Save Democracy Day' and the farmers intend to submit memorandums to all Governors in the name of the President of India on this occasion.
Following the clarification from the police, the Kisan Ekta Morcha also issued an update of their own, stating that the previous post was incorrect. "After confirming from the resources, it has been found that he is safe and sound at Ghazipur! Thanks for all your support!" the handle wrote.
The fake news, they responded to the Delhi Police post, had been "passed by a news channel" and the initial tweet would be deleted.
"I have not been arrested. Police took Yudhvir Singh with them. There must be some confusion with the name," Tikait clarified.
Further details awaited.
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