Violence broke out after two SUVs allegedly fell into a group of protesters protesting against Maurya’s visit.
Here are the top developments…
SUVs crushed the protesters
Two SUVs allegedly collided with a group of anti-agriculture law protesters protesting against Maurya’s visit on the Tikonia-Banbirpur road.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that several farmers were seriously injured in the incident.
Angry protesters allegedly forced two vehicles to stop and set them on fire. They also allegedly thrashed some passengers.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath says that the Lakhimpur incident is unfortunate. The state government will go deeper and expand… https://t.co/seRNc8XwEK
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Farmer leaders alleged that Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son was in one of the SUVs.
NS Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers claimed that one of the farmers was shot dead by Mishra’s son.
‘Car accident happened due to stone pelting’
Union Minister Mishra made a controversial statement saying that the car overturned after being attacked by the protesters.
Mishra also denied the allegation that his son was involved in the incident, saying he was not even present at the spot and had evidence to prove it.
He said three BJP members and a driver were lynched by some “elements” in the protest.
He said, “Some elements among the protesting farmers showed black flags and pelted stones at the car which overturned. Two farmers came under the car and died.
“My son (of the deputy chief minister) was present at the venue and thousands of people, officials of administration and police were present. I was with the deputy chief minister the whole time,” he said.
There are also reports of several journalists getting injured in the incident.
The district administration later confirmed the death of eight people, including four farmers and four BJP workers, in the incident. It said the situation has been brought under control and a cross FIR will be registered.
Farmers will protest outside DM office
The United Kisan Morcha has called for protests outside the offices of district magistrates and divisional commissioners across the country on Monday over this incident.
He also demanded that the incident be probed by a sitting Supreme Court judge and not by the Uttar Pradesh administration.
Farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said, “To express its agitation against Sunday’s incident, the SKM called for protests outside the offices of district magistrates and divisional commissioners across the country between 10 am and 1 pm.”
“We demand that Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Kheri MP Ajay Kumar Mishra be immediately sacked from his post. A case under section 302 (punishment for murder) of IPC against the minister’s son and other goons,” Morcha said. must be recorded.” said.
He claimed that at least four farmers were killed in the incident and appealed to the protesters to maintain peace.
BKU Rakesh Tikait leaves for Lakhimpur Kheri
Amid reports of violence, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh leader Rakesh Tikait along with several of his supporters left for Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
While leaving Ghazipur on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border for Lakhimpur Kheri, BKU national spokesperson Tikait claimed that “several farmers” were feared killed during the violence, in which two vehicles were also allegedly torched .
However, there was no official word yet by the Lakhimpur Kheri administration or the police on the deaths or injuries caused during the incident, in which two SUVs allegedly ran over the protesters and also resulted in firing.
“Farmers in Lakhimpur were returning after a protest when they were attacked. Some of them fled, while they were also fired upon. According to the information we have till now, many people have died in this incident.
Congress targets BJP, demands judicial inquiry
Meanwhile, Congress targeted the BJP over the violence and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident as well as strict action against the culprits.
Rahul Gandhi said those who remained silent even after Sunday’s incident at Lakhimpur Kheri were already dead and underlined that the sacrifice of farmers would not go in vain.
Violence broke out after two SUVs allegedly rammed into a group of anti-agriculture law protesters protesting against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on the Tikonia-Banbirpur road in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
Using the hashtag ‘kisan protest’ in a tweet in Hindi, he said, “Those who keep silent even after seeing this inhuman massacre are already dead. But we will not let this sacrifice go in vain- ‘Kisan Satyagraha’ Stay alive’.”
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wanted to know whether farmers have a right to live in this country. She will also visit Lakhimpur on Monday.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Srinet termed the incident as extremely unfortunate and demanded a judicial inquiry into it.
(with inputs from agencies)
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