Kanpur: The Additional Director General of Police (UP) Prashant Kumar on Sunday issued an order to cancel the leaves of police officers of Uttar Pradesh in view of farmers’ protests and upcoming festivals.
“In view of upcoming festivals and proposed programs of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Uttar Pradesh Police cancels all types of leaves of the staff till October 18. Leave from Headquarters will be allowed during this period only for unavoidable reasons. This order with immediate effect will be effective,” the order reads.
On the other hand, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called the farmers to attend ‘Antim Ardas’ on October 12 at Tikonia in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. SKM also appealed for candle marches on the evening of October 12.
In view of the violence that took place in Lakhimpur last Sunday in which eight people including four farmers lost their lives.
A “Rail Roko” protest will be organized across the country on October 18 from 10 am to 4 pm. In this context, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar has asked all Zonal Additional Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Regional Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, District Police In-charge, Superintendent of Police, Railways not to allow leave to police personnel till October 18.
SKM, an umbrella body of several farmer unions, alleged that Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni’s son Ashish Mishra arrived with three vehicles around the time that farmers were dispersing from their protest at the helipad and mowed down farmers.
However, Ashish Mishra refuted SKM’s allegations and said he was not present at the spot where the incident took place.
According to a media report, The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday had filed an FIR for murder against Ashish Mishra. Ashish was arrested by the Crime Branch of police on Saturday after 12 hours of interrogation. Earlier, the police had arrested two accused, identified as Luvkush and Ashish Pandey, in connection with the case.
(_Vinayak.Barot)