Amritsar : Strongly condemning the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the five high priests of Takhts have asked all opposition parties to join hands to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits.
The clergy, who attended the meeting at Akal Takht Secratariat, included Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh and Head Priest of Akal Takht Giani Malkit Singh. Takht Hazur Sahib Jathedar Giani Kulwant Singh participated from Nanded online.
Terming the incident unfortunate, Giani Harpreet Singh said said it was the responsibility of the central government to take action against the culprits.
“It was unfortunate to politicise the death of innocent farmers who were contesting for their rights. We ask all politicians across the party line to unite so that the culprits are punished”, he said.
Farmers going to Lakhimpur Kheri stopped at UP border
Karnal: Scores of farmers who were heading towards Lakhimpur Kheri from Singhu border were stopped on Haryana-UP border by the UP Police.
A large number of farmers from Karnal district were also part of the farmers’ group. The farmers alleged that the UP Police have parked truck and dumpers on the bridge on Yamuna canal at the state border and are not allowing anyone to cross over.
Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, state core committee member of BKU (Charuni), farmer leader Rampal Chehal, Bhadur Singh Mehla, district IT cell in-charge of BKU, were in the group of farmers from Karnal.
 “We were going to Lakhimpur Kheri to join the last rites of a farmer who was killed on Sunday,” said Chehal, adding that the UP Police did not allow them to do so.
Meanwhile, the SKM reiterated its demand for the arrest of Ashish Mishra, sacking of minister Ajay Mishra from the Union Government and resignation of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The SKM also served an ultimatum to the UP and Union Governments that if these demands are not met by the ‘antim ardaas’ day of the deceased farmers, a “big programme” will be announced.
In a joint statement, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Hannan Mollah, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Shivkumar Sharma ‘Kakkaji’, Yudhvir Singh and Yogendra Yadav, said, “We will not step back from the struggle for justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri farmers’ massacre.”AGENCIES