Lakhimpur: After Rakesh Tikait warning, Minister Ajay Mishra skips sugar mill events

Days after farm leader Rakesh Tikait threatened agitation if Union minister Ajay Mishra took part in the inauguration of two cooperative sugar mills in Lakhimpur Kheri on Wednesday, the minister skipped the event.

The Indian Express has reported that Minister of State for Home was invited as the chief guest at both the mills, but dropped out at the last minute.

Farmers' group have been demanding acting against Mishram since the last month's killings of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. His son, Ashish is accused of murder in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident of October 3, when a convoy of vehicles, including one owned by the minister, ploughed into a group of protesting farmers, killing four of them.

Report said that invitation cards had been sent out with Ajay Mishra as the chief guest at both the sugar mills which held events on Wednesday to mark the beginning of crushing season for 2021-22.

The Indian Express further reported that BJP Palia MLA Harvinder Kumar Sahni was also invited as ‘special guest’ for the events at the two mills, but he also did not turn up.

Mishra had also skipped the final day of the annual conference of DGPs and IGs in Lucknow on Sunday.