Farmers Movement Archive

Lakhimpur Kheri killings: ‘SC’s observations points at UP govt’s apathy’

Bathinda: The remarks of Supreme Court in Lakhimpur Kheri killings on conduct of impartial investigation speaks a lot, said Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday, hours after the resumed hearing in the case. The bench led by Chief Justice N V Ramana said it did not receive the report on the status of investigation in time, and that it never asked for such a report to be submitted in a sealed cover, which in itself is a welcome departure from earlier such instances. The bench also remarked that this (investigation) cannot be an unending story. The court asked UP government to dispel the feeling that it is dragging its feet. It asked pointed questions with regard to protection of witnesses. Asking why statements of all listed witnesses have not yet been recorded, why the most vulnerable witnesses who can be browbeaten have not been recognised and statements recorded. UP government had to commit to protection of witnesses, said the SKM while reacting to the arguments during the hearing. A fair investigation in this matter and securing justice are not possible with MoS for home Ajay Kumar Mishra is a Union Minister, stated SKM. It stated that as more reports emerge about a group of Nihang Sikhs having met Union agriculture ministers in the presence of other people with dubious antecedents, and even the offer of money for leaving the morcha sites, SKM reiterates its demand for a comprehensive investigation into the conspiracy related to Singhu border brutal murder on October 15. While the attempt to tarnish the image of the farmers’ movement has not succeeded, the true story behind the whole episode has to come out to reveal to the world what BJP is up to, said SKM. It said heavy rains in several parts destroyed the season-long effort and toil put in by farmers in different states. Thousands of hectares of paddy and other crops lie destroyed in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and other places. Farmers of the entire Terai region have received a massive setback. SKM demands that the governments take up a comprehensive assessment of the damage being faced by farmers and pay them compensation immediately. It said to take forward the struggle for justice in Lakhimpur Kheri killings, many Kisan Asthi Kalash Yatras are underway right in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab. These yatras are strengthening the resolve of peasants to carry forward the struggle strongly as before.

The Times of India

2021-10-21

Chandigarh