Farmers’ protest in UP targeted, six dead
Federal minister’s son accused of running over agitating villagers
At least six people were killed in violence that unfolded at a farmers’ protest site in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district yesterday, while 15 others suffered injuries, according to official sources.
The violence flared after unidentified persons opened fire at the protesting farmers.
Infuriated farmers set three vehicles on fire after some of the protesters were run over by vehicles. One of the vehicles is said to belong to Ashish Mishra, son of federal minister of state for home, Ajay Mishra Teni.
Farmers have refused to allow post-mortem examinations of the deceased. They have said that they will decide the future course of action after talks with their leaders.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his programme in Gorakhpur and set back for the state capital.
Senior state police officials and additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any fallout of the clashes.
Earlier in the day, thousands of farmers marched to Tikuniya and staged protests against the Uttar Pradesh government.
Opposition seizes chance
Tension, meanwhile, continues to prevail in the area even as opposition leaders are making a beeline for Lakhimpur. Rakesh Tikait, spokesman of the Bhartiya Kisan Union spearheading the protests, left for the area. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is to visit the area this morning.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has demanded that a case of murder be lodged against the federal minister’s son. He has demanded the resignation of the chief minister. A delegation of his party will visit the site of the clashes today. Meanwhile, Teni said that his son was attacked by miscreants who had entered the farmers’ group.
Earlier in the day, thousands of farmers marched to Tikuniya and staged protests against the state government displaying black flags.
Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya was scheduled to reach Banvir village to attend a programme organised by the federal Minister. However, farmers occupied the helipad site where he was to land. Following this, he reached Lakhimpur by road from Lucknow.
Angry farmers in Tikuniya protested by uprooting hoardings welcoming him.