The UP government faced the wrath after the aftermath of violence during a farmers protest in Lakhimpur Kheri, lodging a case against Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son, announcing a probe by a retired high court judge and stopping opposition leaders from reaching the trouble spot.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was detained in Sitapur on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri, where eight people died and several others were reported to be injured on Sunday in the bloodiest clash since the farmers’ protest over the Centre agri laws began last year.
Four of the dead were farmers, allegedly knocked down by vehicles driven by BJP workers travelling to welcome Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
The others were BJP workers and their driver, allegedly pulled out of the vehicles and then lynched by the protesters. Two cars were set on fire.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, BSP’s SC Mishra and AAP’s Sanjay Singh were among those prevented by the state authorities from reaching Lakhimpur.
Protesters burnt a police jeep outside Gautam Palli police station near Akhilesh Yadav’s home when he was stopped from going to Lakhimpur.
The violence briefly figured in the Supreme Court as a three-judge bench said it would examine if organisations which have challenged the validity of a law are allowed to hold a protest on it when the matter is sub-judice.
Nobody Takes Responsibility
The Supreme Court bench said when such incidents happen, nobody takes responsibility.
It was hearing a plea by a farmers’ body which is seeking directions to authorities to allow it to stage a satyagrah’ at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
In Lakhimpur Kheri, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar announced that the government will order a probe headed by a retired high court judge and give compensation of Rs 45 lakh each to the families of the dead farmers.
The kin will also get a government job. The injured will get Rs 10 lakh
Police also registered a murder case against Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, and several others over the death of the farmers.
The minister, howeve, claimed that a vehicle toppled after protesters pelted stones at it. It collapsed on two farmers.
Four occupants of the BJP cars were then pulled out and beaten to death. Some video clips showed men lying on the ground, and being hit with lathis.
Priyanka Gandhi, who recently spent several days in the state discussing poll preparations, was back in Lucknow at 5 am on Sunday, only to be detained on the road to Lakhimpur Kheri.
Videos showed her lashing out at police personnel for allegedly misbehaving with her and her colleagues.
The Congress also staged protests in the national capital. There were farmer protests in Punjab and Haryana as well.
BJP’s Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding a CBI probe under supervision of the High Court.
Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson and cabinet minister Sidharth Nath Singh termed the opposition move to go to Lakhimpur a political stunt aimed at vitiating the peace. @Picture for representional purpose.
