Farmers and unions called for a protest against the Union Minister and Uttar Pradesh Government regarding the recent Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
On the 3rd of October, eight people including four farmers were killed after a SUV ran over them. The car was driven by Ashish Mishra Teni, son of Mr. Ajay Mishra Teni, the Union Home Minister for Uttar Pradesh. The incident not only sparked tension amongst protesting farmers but also gave political mileage to the opposition, demanding strict action against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP.)
Besides the 8 killed people, 12-15 people suffered serious injuries and are being treated at a State run hospital in Lakhimpur area.
On Sunday night, the 3rd of October, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha confirmed the deceased four farmers to be Lovepreet Singh (20,) Daljeet Singh (35,) Nachattar Singh (60) and Gurvinder Singh (19.) The incident took place when farmers had gathered in Tikunia to register their protest by showing black flags to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Keshav Prasad Maurya and the Union Minister Mr. Ajay Mishra Teni, who were visiting the village for a few scheduled Government programmes.
The SKM said, “It is confirmed that Ashish Mishra Teni (son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni) came 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. There were also shots fired, and one of the deaths was by this shooting by Ashish Mishra Teni and his team.”
Mr. Prashant Kumar, the Additional Director General (ADG) of law and order, addressed the media on Monday, the 4th of October and briefed about the developments in the case. He said that two first information reports (FIRs) had been registered on the violence and the incident. Meanwhile, the farmers protesting against the Union Minister and his son, gathered at several block points. They demanded strict action against the Minister’s son, who denied allegations of killing farmers.
Soon, the matter worsened with tension at Lakhimpur, Kheri. The protestors allegedly started burning cars and became violent. To control the situation, the Uttar Pradesh Government deployed heavy police personnel in the village and across the district.
In addition, the State Government suspended internet connection in Lakhimpur and regions of Kheri. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed in the region, restricting people to gather and protest.
Explaining about the whole incident Mr.Ajay Mishra Teni said his son was not at the spot when the incident took place. He also blamed farmers and said they attacked the convoy with stones, and that one of his cars overturned as a result, crushing two farmers. Angry farmers then attacked and killed his driver and three BJP workers travelling in the convoy.
Mr. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, took to Twitter and expressed condolences to the families, who lost their loved ones in the protest. In addition, after rounds of negotiations, the U.P., Government is now to give Rs. 45 lakhs and a job each to the families of the four deceased farmers, while the injured will receive an aid of Rs. 10 lakh each. The jobs will be given in tandem with the qualifications of the family members. The farmers have now allowed the administration to go ahead with the final rites of the deceased.
Supporting the people who are asking for justice, Ms. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the National General Secretary of India National Congress (INC,) the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) the Samajwadi Party) and asked the Police to arrest the son of the Union Minister.
The matter would be investigated by a retired High Court Judge.
This is a developing story, more details are awaited.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Mango News Link
Telegram: https://t.me/mangonewsofficial
Google Play Store: https://bit.ly/2R4cbgN
Apple / iOS Store: https://apple.co/2xEYFJ
