Punjab-origin MPs seek justice for violence victims
Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Oct, 2021 11:40 AM
Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Punjab-origin British and Canadian MPs have called the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh at a farmers' protest as "disturbing" and "devastating", while seeking justice for the victims.
"Devastating to learn about the trampling to death of peaceful #FarmersProtest activists and others in #LakhimpurKheri India," the UK's Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi tweeted.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families for their immense loss. Hope the authorities and media will treat them fairly, because they deserve justice now," the politician added.
Canadian MP Tim S. Uppal said he was shocked to learn about the brazen attack on protesting farmers.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice," he said in a tweet.
Another Canadian MP Ruby Sahota said she was heartbroken to learn about the violence directed at protesting farmers.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured, I add my voice to the growing calls for justice and accountability," she tweeted.
Meanwhile, Canadian MP Preet Kaur Gill added: "This is deeply disturbing and there must be an investigation into the deaths of the four farmers who were peacefully protesting."
The demand made by citizens primarily mirrored their right to clean air and the right to breathe, underlining the reality that Punjab is home to some of India's most polluted towns, including Mandi Gobindgarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Khanna, and Patiala.
The case was assigned to the division bench of Justices A.G. Masih and Ashok Kumar Verma. Earlier, the case was being heard by the bench of Justices Rajan Gupta and Ajay Tewari but the latter recused himself from hearing the case on September 1.
Furnishing details about the incident, Additional DCP-2 Nishant Gupta told IANS that they had received information about a firing incident in the northeast Delhi area on October 1.
The activists of Punjab Congress will walk towards Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh if Priyanka Gandhi is not released and the Union Minister's son accused of murder not arrested, said state party President Navjot Sidhu on Tuesday.
Referring to police action against protesting farmers in Congress-ruled Rajasthan, the BJP leader said, "Congress leaders who are very keen to visit Lakhimpur Kheri have not uttered a single word against police lathicharge on farmers in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan."
Comparisons are on in social media whether this arrest could change the Congress fortunes as after Indira Gandhi's arrest and later in the election in 1980 the Congress returned with a thumping majority.
