Punjab-origin MPs seek justice for violence victims
Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Oct, 2021 11:40 AM
Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Punjab-origin British and Canadian MPs have called the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh at a farmers' protest as "disturbing" and "devastating", while seeking justice for the victims.
"Devastating to learn about the trampling to death of peaceful #FarmersProtest activists and others in #LakhimpurKheri India," the UK's Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi tweeted.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families for their immense loss. Hope the authorities and media will treat them fairly, because they deserve justice now," the politician added.
Canadian MP Tim S. Uppal said he was shocked to learn about the brazen attack on protesting farmers.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice," he said in a tweet.
Another Canadian MP Ruby Sahota said she was heartbroken to learn about the violence directed at protesting farmers.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured, I add my voice to the growing calls for justice and accountability," she tweeted.
Meanwhile, Canadian MP Preet Kaur Gill added: "This is deeply disturbing and there must be an investigation into the deaths of the four farmers who were peacefully protesting."
The farmers have been on agitation since August 20 by blocking the Delhi-Amritsar national highway near Jalandhar, along with the rail tracks, over their demand for raising the SAP of sugarcane. They have already rejected the hike of Rs 15 per quintal announced by the government last week.
Indian defence forces have employed the best equipment available in the country to locate the wreckage, which includes remotely operated underwater vehicles, handheld navigation system with sonar, side scanner sonar with echo sensor and portable transducer, divers propulsion vehicle, multi-beam sonar and submarine rescue unit of the India Navy, an official statement said.
The convicts are Shaik Showkath, 35, Mohd Khalid, 22, Mohd Afroz, 20, Abdul Salman Khan, 20, Shaik Salman, 22, and Mujahid Khan, 20. They are all residents of New Hafeezpet, Serilingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy district.
A Northern Railway spokesperson said that due to farmers agitation in Ferozpur division of Punjab, it has cancelled 68 train including two Vande Bharat and Rajdhani each, four Shatabdi Express, one Duranto, and two Janshatabdi Express trains.
According to police, the robbers, coming out of the Amruth Gold and Silver shop after the crime, saw Chandru approach and opened fire at him, fearing he may try to apprehend them or alert the public. One of the bullets hit Chandru on the head and he died on the spot.
The Vigilance Bureau arrested Saini, who retired in June 2018, for cheating, forgery and other offences under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act on Wednesday.