New Delhi: At least five farmers lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur-Kheri on Sunday during the ongoing protests against the three farm laws.
The situation is said to be extremely tensed in Lakhimpur Kheri post the ruckus over the alleged accident involving the convoy of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Misra.
“2 persons were brought dead to hospital. One Tajinder Singh sustained injuries. He was given first aid but his condition is serious. We’re referring him to another hospital,” said Dr Lalit Kumar, District Hospital, Lakhimpur Kheri, ANI reported.
Violence broke out after two SUVs allegedly ran over a group of anti-farm law protesters who were demonstrating against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at Tikonia-Banbirpur road on Sunday, news agency PTI reported.
Allegations are being levelled again Union MoS Ajay Misra’s son by protestors in this case.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a united forum of farmer unions protesting the three farm laws, and the Bharatiya Kisan Union asked the farmers to gather in Lakhimpur Kheri.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha claimed that one of the three farmers was shot dead by the Union Minister’s son, while the others have been allegedly run over by vehicles in Lakhimpur Kheri.
As per reports, thousands of farmers reached Lakhimpur Kheri post the incident.
Reports earlier suggested that two farmers were injured after they allegedly collided with the car of the Union Minister’s supporters.
The infuriated farmers set two vehicles, including one belonging to the Union Minister’s son, on fire.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is likely to visit Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday, launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-government for suppressing the voice of the farmers.
“How much does BJP hate the farmers of the country? Don't they have a right to live? If they raise their voice, will you shoot them, trample under the car? Enough. This is a country of farmers, not a fiefdom of BJP's brutal ideology. Kisan Satyagraha will be strengthened and the voice of the farmer will be louder,” she tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also lashed out at the BJP post this incident.
“The one who is silent even after seeing this inhuman massacre, he is already dead. But we will not let this sacrifice go in vain - Kisan Satyagraha Zindabad! #FarmersProtest,” he tweeted.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also cornered the government on this issue, sharing some images of injured protestors.
“Modi government has become so thirsty for the blood of the farmers that in Lakhimpur Kheri, the son of the country's Minister of State for Home ruthlessly killed many farmers. He trampled them under his car. From Karnal to Lakhimpur Kheri, your power has created a “bloody dance of fury”. The photos are gruesome but show the truth of BJP,” he tweeted in Hindi.
The violence broke when the farmers were demonstrating against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit at Tikonia-Banbirpur road in Lakhimpur Kheri.
Maurya’s visit to Banbirpur village was cancelled in view of the violence, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has instructed ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar and ACS (Agriculture) Devesh Chaturvedi to visit the spot where the incident took place.