PK’S STATEMENT SURPRISES EVERYONE

PK’S STATEMENT SURPRISES EVERYONE

25-JUNE-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------Political activity surrounding the Bharat Tiwari encounter case is intensifying. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor visited Bilauti village in Bhojpur district today, where he met Bharat Tiwari's family and participated in a *Mahapanchayat* (grand public meeting). During the event, he stated that the focus of this struggle should be securing justice for the family, rather than merely providing financial aid. Addressing the gathering, Kishor told the leaders and individuals arriving to offer financial assistance that he and the public were ready to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family's livelihood. He urged them not to worry about the family's sustenance but to concentrate on ensuring justice. He further announced that a delegation would meet Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary regarding this matter in the coming days; if the government failed to take satisfactory action, they would stage a *gherao* (protest blockade) of Samrat Chaudhary. At the *Mahapanchayat*, he also demanded an impartial inquiry into the entire incident to determine at what level the order to shoot Bharat Tiwari was issued, asserting that justice is impossible without establishing accountability. It is noteworthy that an FIR for murder has recently been registered against several police personnel—including the SDPO and the Station House Officer (SHO)—in connection with the Bharat Tiwari encounter. Since then, the issue has gained significant political and social momentum, with leaders from various parties frequently visiting the family.