New Delhi, At least 30 locations in Punjab alone were affected as the six-hour long ‘Rail Roko’ agitation called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha began on Monday calling for the arrest and dismissal of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
The umbrella organisation of the farmers started their nation-wide agitation that has caused maximum disruption in Punjab and Haryana as it began at 10 a.m.
The SKM has been demanding the removal of MoS Home, Mishra, ever since a car in his convoy ploughed through agitating farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakihimpur Kheri killing four farmers on October 3.
Farmers were seen squatting on tracks at Sonepat and other towns and cities in the northern states as CPRO Northern Railways, Deepak Kumar, confirmed that eight trains were regulated on the route as the ‘rail roko’ came into effect.
SKM on Sunday issued a statement: “Rail Roko to be peaceful without any destruction of or damage to any railway property. SKM appeals to all constituents to strictly follow the guidelines.”
The farmers will continue to obstruct rail traffic all over India till 4 p.m.
The Morcha has said: “It is very apparent that with Ajay Mishra being the Minister of State for Home Affairs in the Union Government, justice cannot be secured in this matter,.”
At least nine people have so far died in the Kheri incident, including three BJP workers and a journalist who were killed in an ensuing violence after the farmers were crushed under a car allegedly being driven by the Minister’s son. Ashish Mishra was arrested on October 10 and sent to police custody on October 12.
Three SUVs, one allegedly being driven by Ashish Mishra crushed protesters while they were agitating against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
(EW correspondent)
