Farmers Movement Archive

Notices to farmers in second FIR

After arresting the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra in connection with the mowing down of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, the police have now served notices on local farmers in the second first information report (FIR) lodged in the incident on the death of three BJP workers. A police officer confirmed that notices were being served in the second FIR, but did not pinpoint an exact figure as the process was still on. A Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson said notices had been sent to 50 farmers to appear before the Crime Branch in Kheri to record their statement. Among those issued the notice was farmer and local BKU leader Sahab Singh from Tikonia, where the incident in which eight persons were killed on October 3 took place. The notice asked him to appear before the police at 10 a.m. on October 18 to record his statement. Waiting for instructions Mr. Singh said he would decide on appearing before the Crime Branch after instructions from his organisation. “We will do what we are instructed from top,” he told The Hindu , adding that as of now he did not intend to appear before the police. While the first FIR named Mr. Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra and 15 to 20 others on the charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and death by negligence for allegedly mowing down farmers, the second FIR, lodged against unidentified persons for murder and other charges, BJP worker Sumit Jaiswal, the complainant, alleged that the farmers threw stones at the vehicle and attacked it with sticks. Apart from four farmers, Raman Kashyap, a local journalist; two BJP workers Shubham Mishra and Shyam; and Hari Om Mishra, the driver of the jeep, were killed in the incident. Mr. Jaiswal alleged that the protesting farmers had attacked the vehicle in which he was sitting to receive visiting Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Protesters attacked the cars with stones and lathis, and Mr. Jaiswal’s car came to a halt after the driver, Hari Om, was hit on the head, he alleged. Hari Om was then pulled out of the car and attacked with lathis and swords, alleged Mr. Jaiswal. As the other BJP workers tried to flee, the protesters also caught hold of Shubham, who was later found dead, he added. ‘Support farmers’ BKU spokesperson Dharmendra Malik said 50 persons had been issued notice. He said the outfit would support the farmers in the case and accused the Union Government of harassing the farmers. “Modi ji is trying to save his Union Minister while farmers are being harassed and served notices so that they come to a compromise,” he told The Hindu.

The Hindu

2021-10-18

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI