SKM questions PM’s silence over Lakhimpur incident

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the Lakhimpur incident, as it once against demanded sacking of Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, and arrest of his son Ashish who was allegedly involved in the Lakhimpur incident.

The farmer leaders also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue.
“SKM warns the Modi government to take immediate action against the Minister, or face strong resistance. SKM also condemns the complete silence of Mr Narendra Modi on the shocking developments in Lakhimpur Kheri, even though he visited Uttar Pradesh yesterday,” the statement said.
SKM condemned an FIR filed against farmer leader Tajinder Singh Virk, who was injured in the incident at Lakhimpur of Uttar Pradesh where four farmers and a journalist died after being run over by a car belonging to the convoy of Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra. Four people who were part of the Minister’s convoy also died after allegedly being lynched by the farmers.
“Video clips from ground zero clearly show that Tajinder Virk was attacked by the “Thar” vehicle from behind when he was peacefully walking on the road, and that later, as he was bleeding and lying on the road in a dazed state, others were running to help him. Registering an FIR against him is a cruel joke and should be withdrawn immediately,” said SKM.
The statement also said that a journalist, who also died in the incident, was not given proper medical attention and taken to a mortuary instead of being taken to a hospital.
The SKM, which is an umbrella body under which hundreds of farmer groups have come together to protest against the new farm laws, said it will not step back from its struggle for justice in “Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Massacre case”.
The statement also gave out details of protests held by farmers in several parts of the country on different issues.
In Bhiwani of Haryana, hundreds of farmers gathered outside a college on Wednesday, where the Haryana State Agriculture Minister JP Dalal was participating in an event. The farmers came with their black flags to express their anger against BJP and the state government.
In Rajasthan, protests were held by farmers of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh for paddy procurement and for irrigation water. The SKM said it points towards the “apathy of the Gehlot government in resolving their demands”.
In Karnataka, sugarcane farmers staged a large rally and dharna yesterday in Bangalore, after having announced a gherao of the Assembly several days ago. Farmers here are demanding that the legally-guaranteed price for sugarcane should be fixed at at least Rs 350 per quintal.
The statement also said that the struggle of loss-incurring cotton farmers, whose crop has been damaged due to pink bollworm attack, is continuing in both Punjab and Haryana. Protests are being organised by farmers demanding immediate compensation in numerous places like Mansa and Sirsa.