NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday got a three-day remand of Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case even as the opposition parties continued to attack the Centre over the incident. Meanwhile, the protesting farmers said no politician will be allowed to share the stage with their leaders during the last prayers for the four farmers killed on October 3.
Here are the top developments:
Ashish Mishra sent to three-day police custody
The UP Police got a three day remand of prime accused Ashish Mishra.
“The police had demanded a 14-day remand of Ashish. They have got three-day remand from October 12 to 15,” senior prosecution officer (SPO) SP Yadav told reporters. The remand will end on October 15 morning.
The police remand was granted by Chief Judicial Magistrate Chintaram, with the condition that Ashish Mishra’s lawyer will remain present during interrogation, Yadav said. Ashish was arrested on Saturday night after around 12 hours of questioning in connection with the Lakhimpur violence.
Mishra was named in an FIR following allegations that he was in one of the vehicles that mowed down four farmers protesting over UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit last Sunday. In the ensuing violence, two BJP workers and their driver were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. Local journalist Raman Kashyap also died.
Politicians not to be allowed on stage, say farm unions
No politician will be allowed to share the stage with farm leaders during the last prayers for the four farmers, a BKU office-bearer said.
Preparations for the “antim ardas” (final prayers) are under way at a field, away from the spot where the violence took place in Tikonia village.
“The ‘antim ardas’ for all the dead farmers will be held on Tuesday at Tikonia,” BKU-Tikait’s district president Amandeep Singh Sandhu said on Monday.
On whether politicians will be part of the prayers, BKU-Tikait district vice-president Balkar Singh said, “No political leader will be allowed to share the stage where only Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders will be present.”
The SKM is an umbrella organisation of farmer unions spearheading the protest against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws, which were enacted last year. Farmers and leaders of various farm unions from other states and districts of Uttar Pradesh will participate in the ‘ardas’ and ‘bhog’ programme in Tikonia” Sandhu said.
According to a report, a “paath” for the Sikh farmers killed in the violence has been kept at the Kaudiyala Ghat gurdwara in Tikonia village.
Bandh observed in Maharashtra
Road transport services were affected and most of the shops remained closed in Mumbai and other parts of opposition-ruled Maharashtra on Monday in the wake of the statewide bandh called by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to protest the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

Leaders of three ruling parties – Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP – staged protests against the Lakhmipur Kheri incident, and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed the bandh was “100 per cent” successful. The opposition BJP in the Maharashtra claimed it was a state government-sponsored bandh and was unwarranted.
Priyanka, Rahul demand minister’s removal
In Lucknow, Congress leaders led by party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged a silent protest demanding the dismissal of Union minister Ajay Mishra. Congress workers and leaders, including state president Ajay Kumar Lallu, converged at the GPO park here and were later were joined by Priyanka Gandhi, a party spokesperson said.
“By not sacking this minister, the BJP is obstructing the process of justice. The central government neither cares about farmers nor about the BJP workers who have been killed,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

Leaves of UP police personnel cancelled till Oct 18
The leaves of all Uttar Pradesh Police personnel have been cancelled till October 18 in view of the upcoming festivals and programmes scheduled by farmers’ body Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), officials said.
“Due to festivals and programmes of SKM, all leave till October 18 are being cancelled,” an order issued by Additional Director General, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar on Sunday said. Durga Puja and Ramlila celebrations are currently going on in the state and Dusshera will be celebrated on October 15. The SKM has announced ‘rail roko’ protest on October 18.
Protests continue
The Gujarat Congress on Monday staged a silent protest against the killing of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh on October 3 and demanded an inquiry into the incident under the direct supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

Chandigarh Youth Congress observe ‘maun vrat’
The opposition Congress in Assam observed a ‘maun vrat’ (vow of silence) in protest against the recent violence. Protests were held in several other states as well.
Shiv Sena backs Varun’s remarks:
An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ supported remarks made by BJP MP Varun Gandhi on the incident.
Varun Gandhi had said the incident should not be turned into a Hindu-Sikh issue.
“The country cannot afford attempts being made to spread animosity. Varun Gandhi is the grandson of (former prime minister) Indira Gandhi and son of Sanjay Gandhi. After seeing the Lakhmipur horror, his blood boiled and he expressed his opinion,” the editorial said.

Not in party’s politics to loot or crush someone under a Fortuner: UP BJP chief

Meanwhile, BJP’s UP chief Swatantra Dev Singh urged party workers to win people’s confidence with their conduct, saying “we are not in politics to loot” or “crush someone under a Fortuner”.
Addressing a meeting of UP BJP’s minority morcha, Singh said, “We have not come in politics to loot (people), nor have we come to crush someone under a Fortuner (SUV). “You will get votes by your behaviour. If 10 people of your locality are praising you, my heart swells (with pride). Your behaviour should be such that people do not turn away their faces after seeing you,” he asserted. The remarks are seen as a displeasure over the incident.
(With inputs from agencies)