The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced a judicial inquiry into the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, stating that an FIR has been registered based on farmers’ complaints. Addressing a joint press conference flanked by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Uttar Pradesh Police, Prashant Kumar said that the farmers have now allowed the police to take the victims’ bodies for post-mortem after being assured of arrests soon. “An FIR has been registered based on farmers’ complaints under the relevant sections. A judicial inquiry will take place to probe the matter under a retired high court judge,” the ADG said.
“Government will give Rs 45 lakh and a government job to the families of the four farmers who died in Lakhimpur Kheri yesterday. The injured will be given Rs 10 lakh,” he said.
ADG Prashant Kumar further said that there will be arrests in the matter soon. “The bodies of the farmers that lost their lives in the incident are being taken for post-mortem,” he added.
The ADG also said that no leader of any political party is allowed to visit the district because Section 144 of CrPC is in place. However, members of farmers’ unions are allowed to visit the district. As many as eight people died in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident on Sunday, said police. Additional Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri Arun Kumar Singh confirmed eight deaths including four farmers and four occupants of the vehicles that crashed into the farmers. Samyukta Kisan Morcha, 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 towards the end also attacked SKM leader Tajinder Singh Virk directly, by trying to run a vehicle over him. However, Ashish Mishra refuted SKM’s allegations and said he was not present at the spot when the incident took place.
Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded immediate release of party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who has been detained by Uttar Pradesh Police in the Hargaon area on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri. Addressing the media, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said that the party has come with five demands including the release of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and allowing her to visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the family of victims. He said that her detention was illegal. “Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Deependra Hooda were stopped in Sitapur on their way to Lakhimpur Kheri. Hooda was assaulted. They have been detained illegally. This practice of preventing political leaders from free movement is very hazardous. Priyanka should be released,” said Shukla.
The Congress also demanded the dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni from the Union Council of Ministers and the arrest of his son. “Congress demands that a high-level inquiry should be initiated in the incident and the kin of the family should be given compensation. The minister should be removed from the Union Council of Ministers and his son should be arrested along with other BJP leaders involved in the incident. Priyanka Gandhi and other Chief Ministers should be allowed to visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the kin of the victims,” said Shulka.
He further alleged that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi were also not allowed to visit Uttar Pradesh. “Their aircraft was not allowed to land at the Lucknow airport. Other opposition leaders were also not allowed to visit there. Why are they stopping leaders from visiting? We also had a government there for ten years but we never stopped anyone from visiting anywhere,” he said. The Congress leader further said that on Tuesday there will be a protest outside District Magistrates’ (DM) offices across the country. “Oppressing farmers is unfortunate for democracy. I demand the Prime Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister take strict action against those responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday said it will examine whether the farmers who have challenged the three farm laws in the court have the right to protest when the issue is sub-judice. A Bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar said it will decide if the right to protest is an “absolute right”. “We have to decide the legal question on when you have approached courts, then how can you protest on the same issue,” the Bench said. The Bench was hearing a plea of Kisan Mahapanchayat, a farmers’ body, to allow it to hold Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The apex court also remarked that though the protesters are claiming that their agitation is peaceful, they did not take responsibility for the violence and destruction of the public property there, while referring to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
“When such events happen nobody takes responsibility. Damage to property and physical damage caused and no one takes responsibility,” the Bench said. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, appearing for Centre, replied that there should be no further protests to prevent incidents like Lakhimpur Kheri. The top court expressed its disapproval towards holding protests when petitions challenging the farm laws are already pending before the Constitutional Court. It also asked whether those who have already approached the court against the Centre’s farm laws can claim the right to protest.
“We are on principle, once you go to court and challenge executive action, how can the same party say, that matter is before the court, nevertheless I will still protest,” it added. The Attorney General said farmers can not arrive at two houses at the same time. They have chosen their forum and if the Act is struck down then their cause is met, only courts can decide the validity of the executive action, the AG said. The Bench said the three farm laws have already been stayed (by the top court), and there is nothing to be implemented, and asked what were the farmers protesting about? “No one other than the court can decide the validity of the farm laws and when farmers are in court challenging the laws, why protest on street?” asked the apex court.
As the petition of Kisan Mahapanchayat challenging the three farm laws is pending before the Rajasthan High Court, the apex court ordered the transfer of the case to itself and said it will be heard arising with other pleas on the same issue. The top court will hear the matter next on 21 October.