Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Farmers Plan Series of Protests; Priyanka Gandhi Joins

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a farmers' union alliance, has organized a series of protests calling for action in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. 

A rail roko has been planned for six hours on October 18 by the spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which is part of the SKM.

Farmers will perform an effigy burning event on October 15, and a large 'panchayat' would be organized in Lucknow on October 26, according to Mr. Tikait. On October 24, the ashes of the farmers murdered in Lakhimpur Kheri will be carried across neighboring districts in urns and submerged in a river.

On Tuesday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid her respects to the four farmers — Lovepreet Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Daljeet Singh, and Nachattar Singh — and journalist Raman Kashyap in Lakhimpur Kheri.

She tweeted that the struggle will continue until the farmers and Kashyap "receive justice."

Ashish Mishra, accused of mowing down the farmers with his SUV, was apprehended late Saturday after lengthy hours of questioning, and he was sentenced to three days in police remand on Monday. Mr. Tikait questioned the police treatment given to him, calling it a "red carpet arrest" and comparing the remand to delivering him a "bouquet."

"Would any officer dare to interrogate the Minister of State for Home Affairs' son? His lawyer will also be inside with him during the interrogation," Mr. Tikait added, alluding to one of the conditions under which Ashish Mishra alias Monu was granted police custody by a Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Several quarters questioned Mr. Tikait for compromising "too quickly" after the government agreed to several of the farmers' requests, including filing a murder case against Mr. Ashish Mishra. 

Many of the farmers who had gathered in Tikonia on October 4 were expecting a long-drawn protest but had returned back. On Tuesday, he attempted to respond claiming that the decision was made collectively and consensually by the agricultural leaders.