Lakhimpur Violence: Navjot Singh Sidhu, Others Taken Into Custody At UP Border

Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Punjab Congress workers are trying to move ahead by breaking the barricades. However, a large police force has been deployed to get the situation under control.

(Image: PTI)

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Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's convoy was stopped near Saharanpur along Uttar Pradesh border and the leaders were taken into custody by the police while they were on the way to violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri district. 

Punjab Congress workers had earlier tried to proceed by breaking through the barricades. However, a large police force has been deployed to get the situation under control. The convoy was stopped along the UP-Haryana border.

Several Congress leaders have been said to be accompanying Navjot Singh Sidhu in this convoy. This includes Punjab Cabinet Minister Vijender Singla, who was since seen shouting slogans. Police have been deployed to make sure that barricades aren't broken.

Punjab Congress workers' vehicles formed a 3-kilometre long queue. It may be recalled that Lakhimpur Kheri village witnessed heavy violence on October 3. A car had been said to have mowed down multiple farmers, and a total of eight people were killed in the incident.  

It may also be recalled that Navjot Sidhu had recently resigned as President of the Punjab unit of the Congress, a decision which has not yet been accepted by the party. In an ultimatum on Tuesday, Sidhu said that if union minister Ajay Mishra's son is not arrested in relation to this incident, the Punjab unit of the Congress would carry out a march to Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.

Attacking the Uttar Pradesh police over the detention of party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday, Sidhu also accused the police of violating Constitutional rights.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Sidhu said, "It has been 54 hours and Priyanka Gandhi ji has still not been produced before the court. Unlawful detention for more than 24 hours is a clear violation of fundamental rights by BJP and Uttar Pradesh Police. You are violating the spirit of the Constitution and hurting our basic human rights."

It may be recalled that eight people, including four farmers, were killed in violence that erupted last Sunday during the Farmers' protest against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. He was in the region to attend a function in Union Minister of state for home Ajay Mishra's native village in Tikonia area of Lakhimpur Kheri district.

Priyanka Gandhi was on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri early on Monday to meet the family members of the deceased farmers along with senior party leader Dipendra Hooda and Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Kumar Lallu, but was detained and taken into custody in Sitapur.