Singhu Border, 10 October (Sangrami Lehar Bureao)- Samyukt Kisan Morcha has noted the UP Government’s SIT arresting Ashish Mishra Teni on grounds of non-cooperation with investigation into the Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Massacre, and for evasive replies. Starting from the fact that the summons were under Sec. 160CrPC which is meant for witnesses, to the fact that Ashish Mishra is not being pinned down for the cold-blooded murder of several innocent and peacefully-protesting farmers, the developments do not instill confidence in the SIT probe, processes and arrest undertaken. There is no information of any other arrests having been made though other names have surfaced of accomplices of Ashish Mishra Teni. SKM reiterates once again that all evidence has to be protected, and that the investigation and legal action reporting to the Supreme Court directly is the only credible course of justice now.
SKM also points out that Ajay Mishra Teni continuing as a Minister in the Modi Government, that too for Home Affairs, is completely untenable and inconceivable. It is clear that the MoS had a role to play in promoting enmity and disharmony, in criminal conspiracy and murder, as well as in harbouring offenders and trying to obstruct justice and to tamper with/conceal evidence. SKM reiterates strongly its demand for Ajay Mishra Teni’s arrest and sacking from the Modi Government, and issues an ultimatum once again that this has to be done by 11th of October (tomorrow), failing which it will take up the announced program for ensuring that the demands are met.
The Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Massacre has elicited a strong response from justice-seeking individuals not just in India, but elsewhere too. Apart from reactions from Parliamentarians in Britain and Canada, there were also protests by citizens in these countries, to ensure that justice is not compromised in any way.
Today, a “Chetavani Rally” in Barnala, Punjab, organised by BKU Ekta Siddhupur with participation of several SKM leaders, saw a massive turnout of farmers. The demands of the rally were repeal of the 3 anti-farmer central laws, enactment of a statute for guaranteeing remunerative MSP for all agricultural produce and all farmers, loan waiver for Punjab farmers and completion of all election promises made to Punjab farmers before 2017 elections. The rally also gave a reiterated an ultimatum to the Modi Government on Ajay Mishra Teni.
It is noted that Haryana Police has lodged 3 FIRs against protestors in Naraingarh (where one person was injured when MP Nayab Singh Saini’s car went over him) and that the Chandigarh Police has filed cases against 40 peaceful protestors. It is being noted that Police is very prompt in taking action against farmers even for crimes that they did not commit, but does not show such promptness when it comes to offenders and culprits from BJP.
SKM notes with concern that paddy procurement has not commenced as expected despite the Union Government’s acceptance of SKM’s demand on October 2nd. This applies to Rajasthan also, where the FCI has agreed to procure from Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar. SKM demands that state governments and the central agencies begin paddy procurement immediately. SKM further demands that bajra procurement should also commence in Rajasthan and Haryana immediately. Farmers are selling at prices that are significantly lower than announced MSPs and are incurring huge losses at this point of time. Similarly, SKM demands that crop loss compensation for cotton farmers who have incurred losses due to pink bollworm damage be paid out immediately in Punjab and Haryana without any further delay.
SKM Madhya Pradesh unit held its state level meeting yesterday and announced that there will be strong mobilisation for the October 12, 15 and 18 actions announced by SKM in all 52 districts of the state. In at least 5000 villages of the state, October 15th will be marked with putla dahan of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, Manohar Lal Khattar, Narendra Singh Tomar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others. Districts connected to the railway network will take part in the Rail Roko program on 18th October.
Earlier, Samyukta Horata in Karnataka organised its state level meeting to announce a series of programs, including a plan for 10 regional kisan mahapanchayats other than Shraddhanjali meetings on 12th October.
Yesterday, there was a state level meeting of AIKSCC Bihar in Patna. On the 12th of October, Shaheed Kisan Diwas will be marked throughout the state. There will be Candle Marches and Shraddhanjali Sabhas organised on that day. In Patna, at around 5.30pm, the assembly would be at Station Golambar, from where the candle march will start. After reaching Buddha Smriti Park, the march will be converted into a Homage Meeting. Similarly on 15th of October and on 18th of October, SKM’s call for effigy-burning of BJP leaders and for rail roko will be implemented in Bihar.
Today, a Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat took place in village Odhigi Tarhar, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh with the participation of thousands of citizens including farmers, agricultural workers, sand workers, and stone quarry workers. Women participated in large numbers in this Panchayat. This is the first Panchayat in East UP after the Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Massacre. The Panchayat discussed the loss of livelihood to stone quarry and sand mine workers, and agriculture workers as a result of BJP governments’ policies, apart from demanding the repeal of the 3 central farm laws and demanding an MSP guarantee law for farmers. The Panchayat decided that thousands of people will take part from this region in the antim ardaas in Tikonia.
Local black flag protests against BJP are continuing – yesterday, there was one such protest against the opening of BJP Poll Office in Ellenabad in Haryana. Similarly, there was one such protest in Bhiwani against a BJP training camp.
On its ninth day of Padayatra from Champaran to Varasani, the Lokneeti Satyagraha Padayatra reached Uttar Pradesh, after completing around 150 kilometers of yatra in Bihar. Another 200 kilometers of padayatra will be done in Uttar Pradesh and will traverse through Ballia, Ghazipur and Benares before reaching Varanasi city on the 20th of October.