Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Rakesh Tikait, 25 Farmer Unions To Meet In UP Today To Decide 'Next Move'

Advocate Harjeet Singh, representing farmers in Kheri court, said families of farmers jailed in the violence case accuse officials of pressuring them to change their statements against Ashish Mishra.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait and representatives of 25 farmer unions from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are set to hold a key meeting in Lakhimpur Kheri today.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Lakhimpur Kheri is likely to become a centre of farmers' agitation again as representatives of 25 farmer unions from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, along with Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, are set to hold a key meeting in the district to discuss their "next move" on Thursday. Farmers Union members are also expected to meet local authorities in order to seek a speedy trial in the violence case involving BJP leader Ashish Mishra, whose bail was recently cancelled by the Supreme Court.

"Farm union leaders from four states will assemble in Kheri to support their farmer brothers lodged in jail for alleged lynching of three BJP workers. Their families said that 'officials are pressuring them in jail to change their statements against the minister's son'. Rakesh Tikait and other farm union representatives would be meeting the district magistrate and police chief," Advocate Harjeet Singh, representing farmers in Kheri court, said, as quoted by news agency IANS.

Farmer leaders also stress that Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni continues to remain in office despite past assurances from government of looking into the matter.

Teni's son Ashish Mishra is the main accused in the Kheri violence case as he is accused of mowing down four farmers and a journalist.

Manjeet Dhaliwal, district president of a farm union in Shahjahanpur, said, "We demand immediate security for witnesses. Two attacks on witnesses have already taken place and there has been no action yet against the accused despite an FIR", IANS reported.

Notably, a maha panchayat is also expected to be held in Lakhimpur Kheri on May 10. The day coincides with the next date of hearing in the violence case when the court is expected to frame charges against Ashish and the other accused.