Payouts, jobs for kin of four farmers killed
State government announces probe by retired High Court judge into incident
The Uttar Pradesh government yesterday announced an ex-gratia payout of Rs4.5 million and a government job for the kin of four farmers who died in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident yesterday.
The state government has also announced that a retired High Court judge would probe the incident.
Prashant Kumar, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Uttar Pradesh police, said: “Government will give Rs45 lakhs [Rs4.5 million] and a government job to the families of four farmers who died in Lakhimpur Kheri yesterday. The injured will be given Rs10 lakhs. FIR [First Information Report] will be registered based on farmers’ complaints. retired High Court judge will probe the matter.”
The ADG also informed that no leader of any political party will be allowed to visit the district because prohibitory orders are in place. However, members of farmer unions are allowed to visit the district.
As many as nine people died in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident on Sunday, said police.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of several farmer unions, alleged that Ashish Mishra Teni, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni arrived with three vehicles around the time that farmers were dispersing from their protest at the helipad and mowed down farmers and also attacked SKM leader Tajinder Singh Virk directly, by trying to run him over.
However, Ashish Mishra claimed he was not present at the spot where the incident took place.
Priyanka under detention
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remains in detention at a police guest house in Sitapur even though other opposition leaders like Akhilesh Yadav have been released.
According to sources, Priyanka has said that as soon as she is allowed to go, she will go to Lakhimpur Kheri to meet families of the victims.