Dismiss Union Minister Ajay Mishra: Samyukt Kisan Morcha

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 9

Terming the Lakhimpur Kheri incident a “pre-planned conspiracy” against farmers, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) today demanded the dismissal and arrest of Minister of State (Home) Ajay Mishra Teni.

“The BJP wants to force farmers to resort to violence, but we will continue to use non-violent methods,” Kisan Morcha leaders said.

Morcha leader Yogendra Yadav said unless Ajay Mishra was dismissed from the Cabinet and arrested on the charges of spreading “disharmony, murder and conspiracy”, the Minister of State would continue to protect culprits in the case.

Darshan Pal, convener of the coordination committee of the umbrella body of farmer organisations spearheading the anti-farm law stir, claimed the Lakhimpur incident should not be seen in isolation as it was a part of larger conspiracy against farmers. Announcing their strategy, Yadav said, “Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will be set on fire on Dasehra.”

The plan includes an ‘antim ardas’ on October 12 to pay tribute to farmers killed at Tikonia, a countrywide ‘rail roko’ agitation on October 18 and a ‘mahapanchayat’ in Lucknow on October 26. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait criticised the PM over his silence whereas many Opposition leaders had met and consoled the victims’ families.

Regarding allegations against him for “striking a deal”, Tikait said, “Bodies were lying without last rites… How long that could continue? Our settlement will only come when Ajay Mishra and his son are arrested.”

Tikait said he did not consider those who killed BJP workers at Lakhimpur as culprits as they only reacted to SUV running over protesters. “The killing of two BJP workers after a convoy of cars mowed down four farmers was a reaction to an action,” Tikait said.

Joginder Singh, president of the BKU (U), said the stir was peaceful, but the BJP governments were trying to discredit it.