Eight killed in farmers’ protest in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri

LAKHIMPUR: At least eight people were killed when violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur during a farmers’ protest against state Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit, according to administration sources.

According to reports, three vehicles, including two SUVs, were set on fire by enraged farmers.

They also allegedly thrashed some passengers.

The violence erupted after two SUVs allegedly ran over a group of anti-farm law protesters who were protesting against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to Tikonia-Banbirpur road.

Among the three vehicles, Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni, owns one.

Meanwhile, the Opposition demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday, citing the Lakhimpur Kheri incident as a reflection of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s "kroor (cruel)" ideology.

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Moreover, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Bhupesh Baghel, and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary are on their way to the spot where the clash took place.

Rakesh Tikait, spokesman for the Bhartiya Kisan Union, has stated that he is on his way to Lakhimpur to meet with the injured farmers.

A large number of forces have been deployed in the area, and police from neighbouring districts have been called in to help control the situation.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityananth has called the Lakhimpur incident "unfortunate."

The state government will investigate and expose those involved in the incident, and strict action will be taken against them, he tweeted in Hindi.

"जनपद लखीमपुर खीरी में घटित हुई घटना अत्यंत दुःखद एवं दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है।  

 

">@UPGovt इस घटना के कारणों की तह में जाएगी तथा घटना में शामिल तत्वों को बेनकाब करेगी व दोषियों के विरुद्ध सख्त कार्रवाई करेगी।"

 

 

Earlier in the day, on Sunday, thousands of farmers marched to Tikuniya to protest the Uttar Pradesh government. Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister, was scheduled to arrive in Banvir village to attend a programme organised by the Union Minister.

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