Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Farmers` union to hold nationwide `rail-roko` agitation today, demands MoS Ajay Mishra`s resignation

The SKM has said that during the `rail roko` protest, all train traffic will be stopped for six hours from 10 am till 4 pm on Monday (October 18).

New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will hold a six-hour-long nationwide ‘rail roko’ agitation on Monday (October 18, 2021) demanding the removal of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ from the Union Cabinet over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, in which his son Ashish Mishra Teni is an accused.

A statement issued by the umbrella body of farmers` unions on Sunday said, "To press for its demand for MoS Ajay Mishra`s dismissal and arrest, so that justice can be secured in Lakhimpur Kheri violence, SKM has announced a nation-wide rail roko program on October 18."

"SKM put out a call to its constituents to stop rail traffic for six hours on October 18, between 10 am and 4 pm. SKM has asked for this action to be taken up peacefully, without any destruction and damage of any kind to any railway property," it further read.

SKM has been demanding the dismissal of MoS Ajay Mishra Teni from the Union Council of Ministers. “It is very apparent that with Ajay Mishra being the MoS for Home Affairs in the Union Government, justice cannot be secured in this matter," it said.

"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," the statement added.

A total of eight people including four farmers died in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. SKM had alleged MoS Ajay Mishra's son Ashish shot a farmer while the others were run over by the vehicles of his convey.

However, MoS Teni had categorically refuted the allegations saying that his son was not present at the site of the incident. Ashish reiterated the same and refuted SKM`s allegations. Later, three people, including Ashish Mishra, were arrested in the case.

Accused Ashish Mishra has been sent to jail by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) after being produced before the Crime Branch on October 14.