Farmers call for ‘rail roko’ protest on October 18 against Lakhimpur Kheri violence

Farmer leaders on Saturday said that they will call for a “rail roko” demonstration on October 18 to protest against the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that broke out on October 3. They also demanded the arrest of Union minister Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish Mishra, PTI reported.

Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in violence during a protest against the Centre’s new agricultural laws on October 3 at Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. Farmer bodies have alleged that a vehicle which was part of Ajay Mishra’s convoy ran over the protestors. They have claimed the vehicle belonged to Ashish Mishra.

Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Saturday said that protesters will stop the movement of trains between 10 am and 4 pm on October 18.

Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav also requested civil society organisations to organise candle light marches in their cities at 8 pm on October 12 to register their protest against the violence.

Yadav added that on October 15, the day of the Dussehra festival, the organisation will burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in protest against the violence in Uttar Pradesh.

Protesting farmers will also hold a “huge mahapanchayat” in Lucknow on October 26, Yadav said, NDTV reported.

Yadav demanded that Ajay Mishra should be removed from the…

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