Nagpur: Maha Vikas Aghadi or the MVA government has called for a state-wide bandh in solidarity with the farmers killed in Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Eight died during the violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, of which four of them are alleged to be farmers.
The three-tier government comprising the Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP is supporting the bandh. However, it is voluntary to follow the bandh as no official notice has been issued by any of the local body authorities in the state. Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik while addressing the reporters said “I request the 12 crore people of Maharashtra to support the farmers. Support means all of you stop your work and support the Bandh on October 11.”
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also said their party will support the state-wide bandh with ‘full force.’ Raut added that whatever happened in Lakhimpur Kheri was a murder of the constitution, a violation of law and a conspiracy to kill the farmers of India.
Heavy security has been deployed across the state. However, union of traders in Maharashtra earlier objected to the bandh in the state but later after the Sena’s request, they have decided to extend the support to the government. “After the request of Shiv Sena and other party leaders, we have decided to keep shops closed till 4 pm in support of the bandh call by the MVA government in protest against killing of Farmers,” chief of Federation of Retail Trade Welfare Association (FRTWA), Viren Shah said.
