Rail Roko protests are being held across India on Monday, to demand the dismissal and arrest of Indian Central Minister Ajay Mishra in connection with killing of eight farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri area of Uttar Pradesh.
Soon after the Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers’ Massacre on October 3rd 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha had announced a series of actions to secure justice in this massacre incident. Rail Rokois one of the most important of such announcement.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha has been demanding the dismissal of Ajay Mishra Teni from the Council of Ministers in the Modi Government from the beginning. It is very apparent that with Ajay Mishra being the Minister of State for Home Affairs in the Union Government, justice cannot be secured in this matter. It is not just that his son Ashish Mishra is the prime accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre. It is the fact that Ajay Mishra Teni did not hesitate to issue threats to farmers from a public meeting, like any regular rowdy sheeter. As any history sheeter, he also alluded to his dubious criminal antecedents, to intimidate. He promoted hatred, enmity and communal disharmony between Hindus and Sikhs in his speeches. It is his vehicles that were used to mow down peaceful protestors. He harboured his son and accomplices even as the police was issuing summons to Ashish Mishra.
SKM states that Teni harboured his son and accomplices even as the police was issuing summons to Ashish Mishra.
Reports indicate that there is pressure on eye witnesses not to depose and record their statements. His son Ashish Mishra, the prime accused, is receiving the VIP treatment, as no other murder-accused in this country does. His party colleagues in BJP are asserting that he was the sootradhar of the entire massacre. It is clear that Ajay Mishra Teni should have been arrested by now, if only we were witnessing fair investigation and procedures.
Narendra Modi is bringing shame to the Union Council of Ministers by continuing to have Ajay Mishra as a Minister, and is displaying an extremely immoral attitude. Citizens are embarrassed to have such a Government in the country. SKM demands once again that Ajay Mishra Teni be sacked and arrested immediately.
6-hour Rail Roko from 10am to 4pm- SKM appeals to all constituents to strictly follow the guideline
To press for these demands, Samyukt Kisan Morcha has announced a nation-wide Rail Roko program tomorrow. SKM put out a call to its constituents to stop rail traffic for six hours on October 18th, between 10am and 4pm. SKM asks for this action to be taken up peacefully, without any destruction and damage of any kind to any railway property.
Yesterday and on Dussehra, in hundreds of places across India, effigy-burning events were organised where effigies of BJP leaders were burnt, demanding the arrest and sacking of Ajay Mishra and for justice in Lakhimpur Kheri massacre.
In dozens of places across Uttar Pradesh, police detained and house-arrested many farmer leaders. SKM condemns this, and asks UP Government not to suppress the right to protest of ordinary citizens.
Lakhimpur Kheri Shaheed Kalash Yatras being organised in different states
Shaheed Kalash Yatras with the asthis of the martyrs of Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Massacre are happening currently on different routes including in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and other places.
In Sikar in Rajasthan, a black flag protest ultimatum by local farmers led to the cancellation of a Governor’s program, which was being organised by the local BJP Parliamentarian. Farmers got together and issued a warning that if the Governor takes part in a “yagna” in the MP’s Vaidik Ashram, it would be strongly resisted. They also pointed out that the Ashram got built on encroached land by the BJP leader on common grazing land of the village. After this, the Governor Mr Kalraj Mishra cancelled his participation in the program.
SKM condemns the use of educational institutions by BJP leaders and leaders of other allied parties in different states to hold party events, and the fact that the programs are based on casteist lines. SKM asks for more social boycotts of the BJP leaders and black flag protests against them in various states.
Pucca morchas around the country continue
In support of the protesting farmers and as part of the historic farmers’ movement, pucca morchas have been set up in various locations across the country at toll plazas, at corporate malls and petrol stations, outside BJP leaders’ residences and so on.
Such a morcha has been continuing in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan from 17th January 2021. In Mohali, a relay hunger strike has entered its 133rd day with local residents taking turns to participate. Similar morchas are running in Wardha in Maharashtra and Rewa, Seoni and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. Many supporters have taken up padayatras and cycle yatras to press for the farmers’ movement demands, and taken up arduous and determined journeys over thousands of kilometers.
A Kisan Mahapanchayat was planned in Amroha in Uttar Pradesh today. However, due to heavy incessant rain which flooded the grounds, the Mahapanchayat could not be held. A new date will be announced soon for the same.
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