Lakhimpur Kheri violence over ministers' visit: 8 people, including 4 farmers, die

Triggering violence, an SUV ran over the farmers which left 4 people dead.

In the second incident, another 4 people died when their vehicle overturned.

According to the farmers organisation, the deceased farmers are Harjeet Singh, Satwinder Singh, Satnam Singh and Agyat Lavra. 

All belong to towns and villages in Bahraich and Kheri districts.

Farmers alleged that the car involved in the incident was part of union minister Ajay Mishra's convoy and was being driven by his son.

However, there is no confirmation of it by the police.

Four supporters of the union minister Mishra, including his driver, were also killed when farmers allegedly lynched them.

Additional SP, Lakhimpur Kheri Arun Kumar Singh, has confirmed 8 people, including four farmers and four occupants of the vehicles, which allegedly ran over them, died in the incident in Lakhimpur Kheri.

Internet services in Lakhimpur have been stopped by the telecom companies on the instructions of the district authorities.

A ruckus ensued as the union minister Ajay Mishra Teni was on his way to his village after an event in Lakhimpur city. 

Farmers had gathered displaying black flags to protest a statement he had made in his speech. 

After the crushing incident, however, angry farmers present at the spot allegedly torched a vehicle reportedly belonging to the minister’s convoy.

It was also reported that the police force at Palia and Nighasan police stations ran away after the incident after farmers attacked them. They returned in the night with additional police force.

Reacting to allegations that his son Ashish Mishra was driving the vehicle that rammed protesting farmers and killed four persons, Ajay Mishra Teni said his son was not even present at the spot when the incident took place.

He slammed the entire incident and called it a “conspiracy", adding that people died as their vehicle overturned.

“My son was not even present at the spot… there is video footage of this," Teni told reporters.

Teni, in fact, said it was his driver and three other BJP karyakartas who were killed in the incident. 

“My driver was driving. He and three BJP karyakartas were killed. The entire incident is a conspiracy," he said.

He alleged that some people from Nanpara in Bahraich were behind this conspiracy.

Teni added that his son will fully cooperate with the police in the investigation.

On the other hand, security of Ashish Mishra has been strengthened after the incident.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, cancelled all his scheduled programmes and returned to Lucknow to take stock of the situation.

He reviewed reports about the incident from the state home department as well as police.

ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar has rushed to the spot along with 3 companies of PAC.

Additional chief secretary home Awanish Awasthi has also sought report of the incident from Lakhimpur Kheri authorities.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with her brother Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday morning, UNI news agency reported.

Samajwadi party president Akhilesh Yadav too will reach Lakhimpur on the same day.