Farmers’ ‘Rail Roko’ protest leaves passengers stranded

At least six trains were delayed as farmers squatted on railway tracks near Devidaspura here on Thursday. They were demanding justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which four farmers were mowed down by vehicles belonging to a senior BJP leader. As a result, passengers were put to great inconvenience as they were left stranded.

The farmers associated with the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) started their protest at around 12.30 and ended it at 2.30 pm.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “Two of the accused in the violence have already been granted bail and the UP Government is trying to provide respite to the remaining who are still in jail.”

Pandher said former Union Minister of State and BJP leader Ajay Mishra Tenni has already been left out of the investigation. The protesting farmers stated that the government is trying to protect the murderers.

The decision to block railway tracks was taken by a group of farmers who are already holding a protest at Haryana borders. Other farmer unions also organised events to pay tributes to the victims.

Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha said, “We demand that the hearing of the case is conducted by a fast-track court. The accused in the case are associated with a BJP leader who was the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs in the previous BJP government.” Dr Ajnala said the government and police machinery are using every method to help the accused.

Addressing the farmers at a gathering at Ajnala, Jatinder Singh Chinna said, “Mowing down people under their vehicles shows the mentality of leaders like Ajay Mishra Tenni. They do not ever consider common people as humans.” Chinna said it is strange that even after three years of the gruesome incident, the farmers are forced to stage protests as justice has been denied.

Protests also seen in Tarn Taran, Patti

Meanwhile, farmers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) staged day-long dharnas on the rail tracks in Tarn Taran and Patti towns. It was Tarn Taran district where the farmers blocked the railway tracks the whole day.

Satnam Singh Manochahal, district president of the KMSC, said one woman and two women farmers sacrificed their lives while participating in the Shambhu and Khanauri border dharnas which were still on, but the district administration had not given the due compensation or government jobs to a member of the bereaved families and the KMSC had to take a strict step. The KMSC had announced to carry on with the dharnas till their demands are accepted.

The dharnas were lifted in late evening on the assurances of the administration that their demands would be fulfilled.