Manjit Singh Rai, the president of Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba), said that about 10,000 Punjabi farmers participated in the protest...
Digital Desk: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) began their 75-hour dharna at Rajapur Mandi Samiti in Lakhimpur City today to "demand justice" in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The farmers have placed several demands, including the resignation of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra, whose son Ashish Mishra is a key suspect in the Lakhimpur violence case. Farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana take part in the protest, which is held from August 18-20.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, national organization secretary Bhudev Sharma, and other major farmer leaders arrived on Wednesday for the dharna, according to Dilbagh Singh Sandhu, district president of BKU-Tikait and local organizer of the protest.
Manjit Singh Rai, the president of Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba), said that about 10,000 Punjabi farmers participated in the protest. On Wednesday, the farmers departed for Uttar Pradesh, some by train and some in their own vehicles.
On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri's Tikunia village during a farmers' protest against Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area. Four farmers participating in the protest were mowed down by an SUV, allegedly driven by the minister's son Ashish.
A journalist was also killed in the clashes, which sparked fury among opposition parties and farmer groups protesting the Centre's now-repealed three problematic agriculture policies.
Reportedly, the Allahabad High Court refused Ashish Mishra's request for bail in July, citing the possibility that he would sway witnesses if released on bail.
Avtar Singh Mehlo, BKU (Lakhewal) state vice president, demanded Mishra's dismissal as well as a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
We're fighting for justice for the farmers killed in the Tikunia violence on October 3, 2021, he said. "We demand the dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra; compensation for the families of farmers who lost loved ones in the farmers' movement; a law for MSP; and a reversal of the energy bill 2022," Mehlo added.
The protesting farmers also demand the withdrawal of cases registered against the farmers during the year-long protest against the farm laws.
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