Ashish Mishra in Lakhimpur Kheri on Saturday. Mishra was arrested after being questioned for over 12 hours. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastava)Lakhimpur Kheri Violence Highlights: Union MoS Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra, accused of running over farmers, was Saturday arrested after over 12 hours of questioning in Lakhimpur Kheri violence incident that left eight persons dead, the police said. “He has been arrested. He will be produced at a court tomorrow,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, demanding the arrest of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) — an umbrella body of farmers protesting against the contentious farm laws — on Saturday called for ‘rail roko’ on October 18 to protest Lakhimpur Kheri violence. “Union Minister Ajay Mishra should be removed and arrested as he started this conspiracy,” SKM leader Yogendra Yadav said, adding that they will burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Dusshera on October 15.
A day after skipping the summons, Ashish Mishra, who has been accused of running over the farmers in Lakhimpur protest site, arrived at the Police Lines for questioning over the violence in the district. He was quizzed for 9 hours by a special investigation team (SIT) team of UP Police. As Ashish reported to the police, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu ended his hunger strike. Sidhu had started fasting on Friday at the Lakhimpur residence of late journalist Raman Kashyap, who was among the eight people killed in the October 3 violence, and vowed to continue it until Ashish reports to the police or is arrested.
Meanwhile, amid demands by the Opposition to arrest the Union Minister’s son, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said there will be no injustice with anyone and no action will be taken under any kind of pressure or without evidence. This comes a day after the Supreme Court, while hearing a PIL over the matter, said that it was not satisfied with the steps taken by UP government to address the issue.
On the other hand, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be leading a “Kisan Nyay” rally in Varanasi on Sunday demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and a repeal of the three farm laws.
Lakhimpur Kheri: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) delegation leaders Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha meet the family of deceased farmer Nachhatar Singh, at Ghanora village in Lakhimpur Kheri, Wednesday, Oct 6, 2021. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_06_2021_000235A)
Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra's son Ashish was quizzed for 9 hours on Saturday by an SIT of Uttar Pradesh police in connection with the violence that unleashed at a anti-farm law protest site in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3.
Demands for sacking of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra and arrest of his son Ashish intensified on Saturday as an umbrella body of farmers’ unions decided to amplify their protests by blocking railway tracks on October 18. Earlier in the day, Ashish Mishra, who has been accused of running over the farmers in Lakhimpur protest site, appeared before the UP Police responding to the second summon issued to him. Here are all the important developments on Lakhimpur Kheri violence case throughout the day.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said his party will participate with full force in the October 11 bandh in Maharashtra to protest against the killing of farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri. Addressing a press conference along with NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik and state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, Raut said it was necessary to wake people up against the anti farmer policies of the Central government. --PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should for once express grief in Parliament over the death of around 750 farmers during the months-long anti-farm law protests on Delhi's borders, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday. He slammed the BJP-led Centre over the minimum support price (MSP) issue, and alleged that the government's assurance that the system would continue is "only on paper" and the farmers want it in reality. Participating in a discussion titled 'Seeds of Wrath: Fears and Facts: How to address the farm crisis' at the India Today Conclave 2021, BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal countered Tikait alleging the protest against the three Central agri laws appeared to be politically motivated. --PTI
Attacking the Uttar Pradesh Government over the handling of the probe in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday alleged it was giving "bouquet" to culprits instead of bringing them to book.
The opposition leader's remarks came barely a few hours after Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra appeared before the special investigation team (SIT) formed in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.
Ashish Mishra was supposed to appear before the police on Friday, but he did not do so. The Uttar Pradesh Police then issued a fresh notice asking him to appear before it by 11 AM on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters here, Akhilesh Yadav alleged, "The way farmers were crushed, now preparations are on to crush the laws. This government has pulverised the Constitution. "You have seen how a vehicle ran over farmers who were fighting for their rights. The guilty persons are yet to be caught. Instead of giving summons, a flower bouquet is being given. The summon is only in name, and (in reality) 'samman' (honour) is given." --PTI
"Don't consider those who killed BJP workers in Lakhimpur as culprits, they only reacted to SUV running over protesters," BKU's Rakesh Tikait said.
Another farmer leader Darshan Pal said, "Lakhimpur Kheri incident part of a pre-planned conspiracy. They (attackers) tried to terrorise farmers."
"Govt has adopted violent approach against protesting farmers. We won't take path of violence," said farmer leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan. "We demand Union Minister Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish be arrested," he added
Demanding the arrest of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Saturday called for ‘rail roko’ on October 18 to protest Lakhimpur Kheri violence. “Union Minister Ajay Mishra should be removed and arrested as he started this conspiracy,” SKM leader Yogendra Yadav said, adding that they will burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Dusshera on October 15.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said on Saturday that the background for Lakhimpur Kheri violence was set during Ajay Misra's speech on September 25. "He [Ajay Misra] had said that they will throw out those working in Lakhimpur Kheri by taking the land on lease," said SKM's Darshan Pal.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha has appealed to farmers across the country to reach Lakhimpur Kheri on October 12 for the tribute ceremony for the farmers who were killed on October 3.
Indian Youth Congress workers organise protests in Delhi over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. (ANI)
“Powerful people use power to further their own ends. Misuse of power by such people should be stopped,” says Madhur Gupta, who hails from Lakhimpur Kheri and says that he is really upset after the Lakhimpur incident. Gupta works as head electrician at Mishra Boilers in Ludhiana.
He added: “Neta or public, all are equal. So, punishment should be same for all. In this incident, I feel punishment needs to be given to the politician or his contacts. A message should go out that no one is above law. Every life matters. I am extremely upset over this incident.” (Read Raakhi Jagga's report)
Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu ended his hunger strike after Ashish Mishra reported to the Uttar Pradesh police after responding to the summons issued for questioning in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. Demanding the arrest of Ashish Mishra, Sidhu had started the hunger strike on Friday at the Lakhimpur residence of late journalist Raman Kashyap who died in the October 3 violence. However, with Mishra showing up to the cops for interrogation a day after he dodged an earlier summons, Sidhu has now ended his hunger protest.
Protesting over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) will demand the resignation of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Ajay Misra, whose son Ashish Misra allegedly ran his car over farmers.
Ashish Mishra, accused of running over farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, arrived at the Lakhimpur Police lines today for questioning in the violence in the district, a day after skipping the summons.
The BJP appears to be bent on crushing all dissent under the wheels of its arrogance. The deliberate mowing down of four hapless, peacefully protesting farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, is yet another glaring reminder of its disdain for criticism. One of the writers of this article wished to visit Uttar Pradesh to meet the bereaved families and express his condolences on behalf of the Congress party. However, he, along with a few Punjab Congress MLAs, was assaulted and illegally detained by the police at the UP border without any formal legal order. This is in keeping with how the ruling dispensation routinely uses a heavy hand when faced with any demand for accountability. Read our Opinion
Ashish Mishra’s lawyer on Saturday said that his client will respect the notice and co-operate with the police with regards to the investigation. “Ashish Mishra will appear before the police today,” Awadhesh Kumar said.
Two days after the MVA allies announced a state-wide bandh on October 11 to protest against the deaths of eight persons, including four farm protesters, in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri, the Shiv Sena on Friday said it was throwing its full weight behind the move and that the state would shut down completely on Monday.
MP Arvind Sawant, chief spokesperson of Shiv Sena and chief of Sena’s labour wing Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS), said that the party and affiliate unions would participate in the bandh. “The farmers, who were protesting peacefully, were crushed to death. The Centre brought contentious farm law and the labour codes [of the Centre] have destroyed the lives of the labourers,” Sawant told mediapersons. Read More
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities has taken suo motu cognizance of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which eight persons, including four farmers, were killed. Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura has written to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and asked for a report within the next three days.
When contacted, Lalpura said, “It would not be fair for me to make any comment until I am furnished with information from the right quarters. I did meet with Tejinder Singh Virk who was injured and has been admitted to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon. I have met his family as well. It was a fruitful discussion.’’ Read More
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday demanded justice for the eight people killed in Lakhimpur Kheri district on October 3. Harsimrat called for the removal of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra and the arrest of his son Ashish Mishra. Ashish is accused of driving one of the cars that ran over people who had assembled at the site of the protest at Tikonia crossing, killing four farmers.
Sidhu, the former Punjab Congress chief, reached Lakhimpur Kheri in the afternoon after a tussle with the Uttar Pradesh Police, began a “hunger strike” outside journalist Raman Kashyap’s house, and took a pledge of silence till justice is served and Ashish Mishra is arrested. Though Kashyap’s name does not figure among those who were mowed down by the vehicle, the journalist’s family has claimed that he too was run over by the car Ashish Mishra allegedly drove. (Read Maulshree Seth's report)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday demanded the immediate dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Misra besides the arrest of his son Ashish Misra who crushed to death four unsuspecting farmers who were returning home after holding a peaceful protest.
The demand was made at Lucknow by former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal who visited the residences of the four farmers along with a delegation of senior party leaders, including Balwinder Singh Bhundur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, SGPC president Jagir Kaur, Bikram Singh Majithia, Manpreet Singh Ayali and Harmeet Singh Kalka, in Lakhimpur Kheri district.
Harsimrat said it was “condemnable that the minister’s son Ashish crushed the farmers when their backs were turned towards his vehicle in an act of vengeance after his father Ajay Misra warned farmers not to hold any protests or be ready to face the music”. Read more
Navjot Singh Sidhu is on a fast until the accused (Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra) does not join investigation and is not brought in police custody.
NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday reiterated that the Income Tax Department's raids on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's relatives and aides came after his comparison of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre during the British rule. Speaking at a meeting of his party in Solapur, Pawar wondered if people had the right to express their views freely in the country. "The I-T raids were carried out because I likened the Lakhimpur Kheri violence to Jallianwala Bagh massacre...Don't we have the right to air our views in democracy?" he asked. --PTI
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu meets Lakhimpur Kheri victim’s family
Union minister Ajay Mishra, whose son is facing a murder case in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that took place on October 3, Friday said his son was “innocent” and will appear before the Uttar Pradesh police Saturday to record his statement. His son Ashish missed the police summons for Friday 10 am as he was “not well”, the minister said.
Amid demands by the opposition to arrest Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s Sonia the case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said there will be no injustice with anyone and no action will be taken under any kind of pressure or without evidence.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday roped in senior advocate Harish Salveto appear before the Supreme Court hearing on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight people were killed on October 3.
On October 5, two UP-based lawyers Shiv Kumar Tripathi and C S Panda wrote to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) seeking a court-monitored high-level inquiry into the incident. The letter urged the court to treat it as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and order the probe so that the guilty could be “brought to justice”. Read more
Uttar Pradesh Police pasted another notice outside the residence of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra in Lakhimpur Kheri, asking his son Ashish Mishra to appear before it on 9th October, 11am, in connection with the violence. Take a look.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav is on his way to Bahraich district to meet the families of two farmers who were killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. "SC has taken cognizance of the incident, now there is hope that the affected families will get justice...MoS Home should resign," he told ANI.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal demanded the dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, ANI reported.
Union Minister of State for Home Kumar Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra, who was asked to appear before the police at 10 am on Fridayin connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, did not reach the police lines till 10.30 am, sources said. Deputy Inspector General (Headquarters) Upendra Agarwal who is heading the probe team arrived at the office on time, they said. "Ashish Mishra has not turned up till now," an official source said around 10.30 am. (PTI)
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who arrived here on Thursday to meet the families of two farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, said by allowing Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra to continue on the post, the Centre is giving the message that those in power can do anything.
The Union minister's son, Ashish Kumar Mishra, and others have been booked in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that erupted during a farmers' protest on Sunday.
"If the minister of state for home does not resign nor is he sacked, then it means that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving a message to the public that if someone is in power, if he is a minister, he can do anything," Gandhi told reporters in Moharnia, where she met the family members of Gurvinder Singh, one of the four farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. (PTI)
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and said just "one word of sympathy" was needed from him.
In a tweet, Sibal said, "Lakhimpur Kheri Horror. Modi ji, Why are you silent? We need just one word of sympathy from you. That should not be difficult!" "Had you been in opposition how would you have reacted? Please tell us," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Earlier this week, Sibal had urged the Supreme Court to act suo motu on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
He later thanked the Chief Justice of India after the Supreme Court took cognisance of the incident and had said courts in India are temples of justice that can restore the faith of the voiceless. Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when a group agitating against the Centre's three new farm laws was holding a demonstration against the visit of UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. (PTI)
Phoolmati says she will never forget the video. “There are people surrounding my son and questioning him as he bleeds and begs them for mercy,” the 47-year-old says, breaking down, as police personnel deployed at their house in Jaipra village of Lakhimpur Kheri district keep a watch.
Her son Shyam Sunder Nishad, 30, was the BJP ‘mandal mantri’ for Singahi area of the district. In the video, purportedly made soon after a convoy of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra’s son plouged through protesting farmers in Tikunia on Sunday, an angry group is interrogating Nishad on whether Teni (Mishra) had sent him. They also ask repeatedly if he was sent to “do an accident” deliberately, even as he pleads that was not the case. Read the full report here.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday said that it will hold a meeting on October 8 to discuss the next course of action on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that left four farmers dead.
The SKM, which is spearheading the farmers' agitation against the Centre's farm laws, also said that it is waiting for the arrest of Ashish Mehra, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra.
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested two men in connection with the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri district. According to a notice, Ashish Mehra has been asked to come to the police lines at 10 am Friday. (PTI)
AAP MP and the party's Uttar Pradesh in-charge Sanjay Singh on Thursday termed the tough stand taken by the Supreme Court on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence as "shameful" for the BJP government in the state. "Farmers have been mowed to death by the vehicle of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra's son. The families of the victims have raised questions as to why the Union minister has not been asked to resign and why his son has not been arrested.
Now the Supreme Court has also asked why arrests have not been made in the Lakhimpur Kheri case so far. This is a shameful situation for the Yogi Adityanath government," he told reporters here. When the entire country was mourning the death of farmers in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were celebrating the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" in Lucknow and they did not even go to meet the families of the deceased farmers, Singh said. (PTI)
Senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar condemned the Lakhimpur Kheri violence on Thursday but lashed out at the opposition parties, accusing them of creating an "atmosphere of hatred and violence" in the country.
He congratulated the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for constituting an enquiry into the incident to bring the culprits to justice. The RSS leader also condemned the recent incidents of civilians being killed in Kashmir and said he is confident that the government will deal with the perpetrators of the incidents with an iron hand. (PTI)