Bloody protests for land reform in India: eight dead in collision of peasants with pro-government activists

Peasants and opposition parties organized on Monday demonstrations in various parts of India for the death on Sunday of eight people, after clashes in the north of the Asian country between politicians of the government party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and peasants.

Of the eight dead, four are farmers who died after being run over by a convoy in which the farmers said was a son of India’s Deputy Interior Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra. It was during a demonstration organized on Sunday in a village in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The other four were in one of the vehicles and reportedly lost their lives after being lynched. at the same time as dozens of people were injured in accidents after the incident, which took place amid protests by farmers against three laws that liberalize the Indian market.

EVENTS IN VARIOUS POINTS OF THE COUNTRY

Dozens of members of the opposition Congress Party (INC) of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty demonstrated in New Delhi on Monday in front of the regional house of Uttar Pradesh, an area controlled by the Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The INC shared on its social networks images of an action in which also participated members of one of the main farmers’ organizations in India, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).

Other cities, such as western Calcutta and northern Chandigarh, have been the scene of demonstrations organized by opposition parties and farmers’ associations.

In addition to the rallies, several politicians tried unsuccessfully to visit the village where the event took place.

This is the case of the leader of the Congress Party Priyanka Gandhi, who was arrested last night while trying to get to the village, or the former head of government of the region and leader of the formation of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, who was also arrested.

INDEMNIFICATIONS AND PROMISES OF INVESTIGATION

Faced with the rise in tension, the authorities promised financial compensation for the deceased and an investigation into the event.

Uttar Pradesh Police Director General Prashant Kumar said the government will compensate the families of the deceased with 450,000 rupees (approximately $ 6,000), while the injured will receive 100,000 rupees (approximately $ 1,300) .

Kumar also promised an investigation, during an impromptu press conference in which he was accompanied by Rakesh Tikait, one of the main leaders of the peasant movement.

Indian Deputy Interior Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra told a press conference that the allegations that his son was driving one of the cars that hit the farmers “are unfounded”.

Mishra assured, in statements at a press conference gathered by the Indian Express newspaper, that the peasants lynched three members of the BJP and the driver of a vehicle.

PEASANT PROTESTS

Yesterday is the day with the most deaths due to the mostly peaceful protests.

In addition, the incident took place in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, with nearly 200 million inhabitants, and therefore the one that sends the most MPs to Parliament, where meetings will be held. Key regional elections early next year at Modi’s BJP and the opposition.

The event on Sunday gave new force to farmer protests that began in November last year against three laws they believe leave producers at the mercy of the free market, with no guarantees of protection.

The Indian government, however, claims the regulations attempt to give farmers the ability to negotiate prices and production directly with buyers, without hindrance or middleman.

The Supreme Court suspended the entry into force of the reforms last January, after months of protests, and established a committee to consult the impact of the measures with different parties.

(with information from the EFE)

KEEP READING: