Farmers Movement Archive

Four farmers killed in U.P. as car runs amok

When asked why there was no police action, since it was a VIP function, Mr. Mishra said, “There was an understanding that farmers will protest peacefully, they will show black flags, it is their democratic right. But anti-social elements got mixed with the farmers and attacked the vehicles.” Mr. Mishra, also known as Teni, said he had invited Mr. Maurya as the chief guest at the annual wrestling event in his village, the Ambika Prasad Mishra Smriti Kushti Pratiyogita. Denying the Minister’s allegations that the incident began when a stone thrown by protestors hit the driver, Jai Kisan Andolan founder Yogendra Yadav said, “There was no provocation whatsoever by the farmers. There was no stone throwing. This is completely false.” Mr Yadav was citing eyewitness reports of farmers on the scene. The SKM said around 10 farmers, including SKM leader Tajinder Singh Virk, were seriously injured in the incident. In a virtual press conference in the evening, the SKM outlined three immediate demands. “One, Ajay Kumar Mishra should be immediately removed from the Council of Ministers. Two, an FIR under Section 302 should be registered immediately against his son and the other goons he brought with him. Three, the case should be investigated by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court,” said Krantikari Kisan Union leader Darshan Pal. The SKM has also called on farmers across the country to protest peacefully in front of district magistrates offices between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. tomorrow. Responding to the incident in Lakhimpur Kheri, BKU national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said the incident had exposed the “cruel and undemocratic face of the government.” Before leaving for Lakhimpur Kheri, Mr Tikait said the government should not “test the patience of farmers”. He also appealed to farmers to maintain peace. (With inputs from Priscilla Jebaraj, Anuj Kumar in Delhi)

The Hindu

2021-10-04

October 04 2021 00:00 IST