Lakhimpur Kheri SIT investigation vindicates our stand: SKM
Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Dec, 2021 11:19 AM
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) Taking cognizance of the SIT's latest report into the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre on Tuesday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said it reaffirmed the stand of protesting farmers that the incident was pre-planned.
The SIT has made grave indictments against 13 accused in the case, including Ashish Mishra Teni, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni. On October 3, eight people, including four protesting farmers, had died when a SUV belonging to Ashish Mishra had mowed them down on the outskirts of Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. One local journalist had died in the ensuing violence.
"The chief mastermind of the incident, Ajay Mishra Teni continues to roam free, and hold his position in the Union Government. In the light of the latest findings, SKM demands that the Modi government stop shielding this 'conspirator of the Kisan massacre in Lakhimpur Kheri'," a statement from the SKM said.
The farmers had then been protesting at Lakhimpur Kheri, just as at various places across India, demanding withdrawal of the three farm laws.
Reiterating its demand for dismissal and arrest of senior Mishra, the SKM said that it shall continue its struggle on this issue. "Indian farmers shall not forget this massacre, till we secure justice for the victims."
In its submission to the magistrate, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has affirmed that: "So far, it has been proved from the analysis and collected evidence that the accused did not commit the criminal act out of negligence and disregard, but intentionally, with the motive of killing the farmers according to a pre-planned strategy, due to which five people have died."
With an eye on the upcoming Uttrakhand and Punjab Assembly polls, the Congress is planning to felicitate the war veterans of the 1971 India-Pakistan War during the end of the year-long celebration of 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh Liberation War.
Given in recognition of a lifetime's work, the Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II and is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence on the advancement of architecture. It has been awarded since 1848 and will be presented to Balkrishna Doshi at a special ceremony next year.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday congratulated the farmers for their historic victory whereby they had not only forced the BJP-led Central government to repeal the three agricultural laws, but had also paved the way for making the minimum support price (MSP) a legal right.
Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh who died in the tragic helicopter crash along with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and others, had been married to Prafulla from Karnataka. Prafulla is the native of Salmaru village near Karkala town in Udupi district. A pall of gloom descended on the family after the news of the tragedy broke out.
The force said that positive identification of only three mortal remains -- Gen Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and Brig L.S. Lidder -- has been possible as of now, and their mortal remains will be released to the next of kin for final rites as desired by the respective families.
Almost 15 months after the farmers' agitation began against the (now scrapped) farm laws and other issues, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions that led the protest, said on Thursday that it has suspended the agaitation after receiving positive assurances from the government on their demands, adding that the borders of Delhi will be cleared by Saturday.
