At least eight people were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri during protests by a group of farmers against a visit by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Kumar Mishra. Four of the killed were farmers according to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, while three of the others killed were Bharatiya Janata Party workers and another was a driver who was a part of the convoy, according to the BJP. Additional Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri, Arun Kumar Singh confirmed eight deaths including that of four farmers and four occupants of the vehicles.
The farmers alleged that two vehicles from the convoy of MoS Ajay Mishra ran over the protesting farmers, and that his son Ashish Mishra shot dead one of the farmers. This was strongly refuted by Ajay Mishra, who said that his son was not present at the spot and that some miscreants merged with the protesting farmers and pelted stones on the cars which led to the “unfortunate incident”.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and called it unfortunate. “Chief Minister had expressed grief in the Lakhimpur incident. He called the incident very unfortunate. Uttar Pradesh government will investigate the matter in detail and will take strict actions against the culprits,” reads the state government statement. ADG Law and Order, IG Lucknow Range and Additional Chief Secretary are present at the spot, the statement added.
The UP government has instructed ADG Law and Order, Prashant Kumar and ACS (Agriculture) Devesh Chaturvedi to visit the spot where the incident took place.
“My son wasn’t present at the spot. There were miscreants who attacked our workers with sticks and swords. If my son would’ve been there, he wouldn’t have come out alive,” Ajay Mishra said, according to agency reports. “During Lakhimpur Kheri visit, our workers came to receive us amid the farmers’ protest. Some miscreants from among the agitating farmers started pelting stones on our car and injured our driver. Due to this, our car lost its balance and two people died coming under it. After this, three of our workers were killed and our cars were set on fire,” Mishra said.
“They’ve killed people and damaged and torched cars. We have video evidence,” he added.
He asserted that cases under Section 302 will be lodged against the culprits.
“Our workers did not have any fault. They were going to receive the chief guest. When our workers were going they started pelting stones on the vehicles. Our workers were beaten after being dragged out from their vehicles. They torched the cars. We will lodge cases against the culprits,” he added.
Meanwhile, Samyukt Kisan Morcha issued a statement saying that four persons were dead. According to their statement, Lovepreet Singh (20), Daljeet Singh (35), Nachattar Singh (60) and Gurvinder Singh (19) were dead and around 12 to 15 persons were injured and hospitalised.
“Information is coming in from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh that the convoy of the Union MoS for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni (most probably his son’s vehicles) ran over protesting farmers who were on the roads carrying black flags to protest against his visit. It is reported that at least two farmers have been killed and SKM leader Tajinder Singh Virk is seriously injured in this incident. As you are aware, protesting farmers had occupied the helipad in village Tikunia from the morning today, as part of this protest,” reads the Samyukt Kisan Morcha statement.
“Reports indicate that one of the three farmers martyred in today’s incidents was shot dead by Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra Teni’s son, Ashish (Monu) Mishra, while the others have been run over by vehicles,” a further statement said.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra announced that she would visit Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has been appointed as AICC senior observer for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, will also visit Lakhimpur on Monday. Samajwadi Party national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar will also visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the deaths of the farmers and tweeted, “I strongly condemn the barbaric incident in Lakhimpur Kheri. The apathy of @BJP4India towards our farmer brethren pains me deeply. A delegation of 5 @AITCofficial MPs will be visiting the families of the victims tomorrow. Our farmers will always have our unconditional support.”