BARGARH, ODISHA: Suresh Nikanti, a dynamic youth leader and front-line member of the powerful Sanyukta Krushak Sangathan (SKS), was the victim of a brutal and life-threatening attack by unidentified miscreants yesterday evening at the Bargarh-Kalapani Chowk. Nikanti was rushed to a local hospital, reportedly bleeding profusely and sustaining severe injuries.
A formal complaint detailing the assault has been lodged at the Bargarh Rural Police Station, raising serious concerns among the agricultural community about the safety of farmer activists in the region.
The Attack and Victim's Status
The incident occurred late yesterday afternoon when Nikanti was reportedly standing alone at the busy Kalapani junction. Eyewitnesses suggest a group of masked assailants, described as 'miscreants' in the police complaint, suddenly ambushed the young leader. The attack was swift and vicious, leaving Nikanti severely incapacitated before the attackers fled the scene, capitalizing on the evening chaos.
Nikanti, who is known for his fiery speeches and unwavering stand on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and timely paddy procurement, is currently undergoing treatment. Hospital sources have confirmed his condition to be serious but stable.
Target of Activism
Suresh Nikanti is a widely recognized face in the media, frequently leading protests and discussions concerning farmers' rights in the rice bowl of Western Odisha. His role as a central figure in the Sanyukta Krushak Sangathan—a coalition that has recently intensified its agitation against issues like exclusionary paddy registration policies and the installation of prepaid smart electricity meters—puts him constantly at loggerheads with both administrative bodies and corporate interests.
The SKS recently led massive protests in Bargarh demanding the immediate inclusion of thousands of farmers excluded from the procurement registration list and opposing the privatization of the power sector. Leaders believe the attack is a direct consequence of his high-profile and effective activism, designed to silence a critical democratic voice.
Widespread Condemnation and Police Action
The assault has triggered an immediate and furious backlash from farmers' organizations and civil society groups across the state. They have unequivocally condemned the violence, branding it an attempt to suppress legitimate democratic protest.
A spokesperson for the Sanyukta Krushak Sangathan issued a statement demanding swift justice: "This is not just an attack on Suresh Nikanti; it is an attack on the farmers' movement itself. We demand the Bargarh police immediately identify and arrest these cowardly perpetrators and uncover the conspiracy behind this lethal assault. We will not be intimidated."
The Rural Police Station has registered an FIR and reportedly formed a special team to investigate the case, with preliminary efforts focusing on collecting CCTV footage from the surrounding area and identifying potential motives, including business rivalries or political vendetta linked to his social activism.
The incident underscores the growing volatility surrounding agricultural politics in Odisha, where farmers' groups are increasingly vocal about market access, government support, and compensation for crop loss.
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