UP Deputy Chief Minister and Union Minister Ajay Mishra were on a visit to the area when the violence broke out
AGENCIES / WEB DESK
Eight persons, including four farmers, were killed in violence that broke out in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, where farmers were holding protests since morning over the visit of Union Minister of State for home Ajay Mishra and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya.
According Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri, eight persons, including four farmers were killed he said after farmers unions claimed two of the protesters were ran over by a vehicle in the convoy of the Union minister, in which his son and other relatives were seated. The other four who died were occupants of the vehicle that allegedly ran over the farmers, the officer said.
Visuals from the area recorded later showed vehicles set on fire as a man, apparently injured, lies on the ground. There is heavy police presence in the area.
In a statement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he was “saddened” by the incident and promised strict action against those responsible following an investigation.
Farmers unions have called upon all farmers’ organisations across India to protest at District Magistrates’ offices in all districts between noon and 1 pm tomorrow. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait as well as farmers from Punjab and Haryana are on their way to the UP district.
Farmer unions have also claimed that eight farmers were injured. “In Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, 2 farmers have died and 8 farmers were seriously injured after the vehicles of the ministers’ convoy crushed the farmers standing on the side of the road, protesting against the programme of the Union Minister of State for Home,” tweeted the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers.
Dr Lalit Kumar, the medical officer of the district hospital in Lakhimpur Kheri, said two persons were dead on arrival and one seriously injured. “No postmortem has been conducted. They want the Union’s go ahead,” he added.
Mr Mishra, who is from the area, was holding a function at his village which the Deputy Chief Minister was also supposed to attend.