Lakhimpur Unrest | Protests Grip the Nation, Priyanka Gandhi Under 'Arrest'
Akhilesh was on a sit-in outside his home in Lucknow after he was not allowed to visit Lakhimpur Kheri district.
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As protests against the alleged murder of four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri grip the nation, Opposition leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Navjot Singh Sidhu, and Akhilesh Yadav, who are standing in solidarity with the farmers, had been detained by the police on Monday, 4 October.
Sidhu and Yadav were subsequently released from detention.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ashish Misra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Misra Teni, for murder. Ashish Misra allegedly rammed his car into protesting farmers in Lakhimpur on Sunday, killing eight, including four farmers.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was, earlier on Monday, detained by the UP police while on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri district to meet the families of the farmers who have allegedly been killed, could be seen sweeping the floor of the room in which she has been detained.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was detained by the Uttar Pradesh police on his way to Lakhimpur
A slew of Opposition leaders, including Bahujan Samaj Party MP SC Mishra, and Congress MPs Salman Khursheed and Pramod Tiwari, had been placed under house arrest
The UP government had also asked the Punjab chief secretary in an official letter to not let anyone from the state go to Lakhimpur
Section 144 was imposed in Lakhimpur Kheri district on Sunday
Journalist Raman Kashyap, who had been covering the clashes in Lakhimpur, succumbed to his injuries while being treated at a hospital
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Opposition Leaders Placed Under House Arrest
A slew of opposition leaders including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party MP SC Mishra and Congress’ Salman Khursheed and Pramod Tiwari too have been placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was denied permission to land in Lucknow.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra 'Arrested' En Route to Lakhimpur
Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was on her way to meet kin of farmers who died during Sunday’s violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, was 'arrested' on Monday morning, 4 October, as per Congress’ youth wing national president Srinivas BV.
Journalist Succumbs to Injuries Sustained at Lakhimpur: Reports
As per social media reports, journalist Raman Kashyap succumbed to his injuries in Lakhimpur while being treated at a hospital. Kashyap, a resident of Uttar Pradesh (UP)’S Nighasan, was injured in the violent clash during the coverage of the incident.
Akhilesh Yadav Sits in Protest Outside Home
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is on a sit-in outside his home in Lucknow after he was not allowed to visit Lakhimpur Kheri district.
Akhilesh Yadav Detained by UP Police
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has been detained by the Uttar Pradesh police. He was staging a protest outside his house for not being allowed to visit Lakhimpur.
UP Government Urges Punjab Chief Secretary To Not Let Anyone Visit Lakhimpur Kheri
Uttar Pradesh government writes to Punjab chief secretary, ask him to not let anyone from the state go to Lakhimpur Kheri district.
Protests in Bengaluru Against Lakhimpur Killing
Members of the All-India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS) are currently protesting at the Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru against the Lakhimpur incident, in which four farmers died on Sunday.
RJD's Tejashwi Yadav Attacks BJP
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says those who came to power through the process of democracy are now crushing the common people.
"The massacre of farmers by the son of a Union Minister is unimaginable and despicable. People of violent, unjust and divisive mentality are in power who are killing food donors for the benefit of funders. People who came to power from democracy are now crushing the people," he tweeted.
Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi Asks For Permission to Visit Lakhimpur Kheri
The Punjab government's civil aviation director writes to UP Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi, informing him that CM Charanjit Singh Channi wants to visit Lakhimpur Kheri to visit and meet the aggrieved families of victims; seeks permission for landing of the CM's chopper.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns Lakhimpur Incident
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemns the Lakhimpur incident, says Trinamool MPs will be visiting the families of the victims on Tuesday.
"I strongly condemn the barbaric incident in Lakhimpur Kheri. The apathy of BJP towards our farmer brethren pains me deeply. A delegation of 5 Trinamool MPs will be visiting the families of the victims tomorrow. Our farmers will always have our unconditional support," she tweeted.
Matter of National Shame: Trinamool Congress
Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress attacks Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"It's a matter of national shame that under Mr Narendra Modi's watch, our farmers have had to see such a day! The Trinamool Congress family vows to stand beside our farmer brethren, and we will fight till the last drop of our blood to stand up for their rights. Our Hon'ble MPs Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Dola Sen, Pratima Mondal, Abir Ranjan Biswas and Sushmita Dev will be visiting Lakhimpur Kheri to meet with the families and stand beside them amid such difficult times," the All India Trinamool Congress said in a tweet.
Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi To Leave for Lakhimpur
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi asks Uttar Pradesh government to allow the landing of his helicopter in Lakhimpur.
"Expressing solidarity with bereaved families of farmers, I'm leaving for Lakhimpur Kheri to be with my brothers & sisters in this hour of grief. I've also sought permission from UP Govt to allow landing/taking off of chopper at the site," Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted.
Congress Leader Kapil Sibal Asks For Judicial Inquiry
Congress leader Kapil Sibal says "there should a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge".
"Before that, the union minister must be dismissed or suspended at least during inquiry as the incident took place with respect to his convoy," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
SKM Writes to President, Demands SIT Probe
Samyukta Kisan Morcha has written to President Ram Nath Kovind over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and demanded an investigation into the matter by an SIT under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
They have also demanded that Union Home Minister Ajay Mishra Teni be "immediately dismissed from his post and a case should be filed against him for inciting violence and spreading communal hatred"; the Union Minister's son Ashish Mishra "Monu" and his fellow goons be immediately booked for 302 (murder) and arrested immediately and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is inciting violence while holding a constitutional post, be sacked from his post.
Farmers Take Out Protest March in Ambala
Farmers have taken to the streets in Ambala to protest against the death of the four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Sweeps the Floor
Indian Youth Congress leader Srinivas BV tweeted a video, in which Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could be seen sweeping the floor of the room in which she has been detained. Earlier on Monday morning, the police detained her when she was on her way to meet kin of farmers who died during Sunday’s violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district.
According to youth Congress leader Srinivas BV, who tweeted a video of the same, Gandhi has also started to fast while in detention. Priyanka later said she was "manhandled, pushed and shoved" by the police and asked why she had been arrested, reported NDTV.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could be seen sweeping the floor of the room in which she has been detained.
Photo: Altered by The Quint
AAP Delegation to Leave for Lakhimpur Kheri
Aam Aadmi Party delegation comprising Harpal Singh Cheema, Raghav Chadha, Kultar Sandhwan and Baljinder Kaur to leave for Lakhimpur Kheri.
Earlier on Monday morning, AAP MP Sanjay Singh was stopped by UP police when he was on his way to Lakhimpur Kheri.
"The farmers were murdered and now MP Sanjay Singh ji, who is going to express condolences to his family, is halted by the police and administration officials on the road all night. You will pay a heavy price for all these tears of the farmer's family," AAP leader Manish Sisodia had tweeted in Hindi.
UP to Give Rs 45 Lakh, Govt Job Each To Families of Deceased Farmers
The Uttar Pradesh government will be giving Rs 45 lakh and a government job to the families of the four farmers who died in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday, 3 October, Additional Director General (Law & Order) Prashant Kumar has said, reports ANI.
"The injured will be given Rs 10 lakh. FIR will be registered based on farmers' complaint. A retired high court judge will probe the matter," he further said.
"Leaders of political parties have not been allowed to visit the district because Section 144 of CrPC is in place. However, members of farmer unions are allowed to come here," he added.
Union Minister Ajay Mishra Demands Rs 50 Lakh Each For Families of Deceased BJP Workers
Union Minister Ajay Teni Misra wants Rs 50 lakh to be given to the families of each of the BJP workers who died on Sunday, 3 October. He also says the allegations against his son are baseless.
"I demand that Rs 50 lakhs be given to the families of each BJP worker who were killed yesterday. The matter should be investigated either by CBI, SIT or by a sitting/retired judge and strict action be taken against the culprits," he said, as per ANI.
"BJP workers were attacked & killed with sticks & swords. Videos show some attackers asked our workers to say that I had asked them to mow down farmers. Allegations against my son are totally baseless. Had he been there, he would have been killed."
Why Have I Been Arrested, Questions Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says she has no idea where she is currently being detained and wants to know why she has been arrested.
"I don't know where I am; placed me under arrest without any paperwork," she told NDTV.
She also says she was "manhandled, pushed and shoved" and that the UP police followed her convoy and tried to stop them at various points while they were on the way to Lakhimpur Kheri.
She also says she will continue with her journey and meet the families of the deceased once she is released.
"I have been arrested but the minister has not resigned, his son has not been arrested. How would I have caused a riot with my visit? I want to know which nationalist makes laws that destroy the farming community of a nation hugely dependent on agriculture," as per NDTV.
Gherao of DM's Office in Every District Across the Country Tomorrow: Rajeev Shukhla
Congress leader Rajeev Shukhla says party worker Deependra Hooda was assaulted, reports ANI. "They've been detained illegally. This practice of preventing political leaders from free movement is very hazardous. Priyanka should be released."
He says on Tuesday, 5 October, there will be a "gherao of DM's office in every district across the country" and asks PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath to take strict action against those responsible.
SKM Leaders Present Memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind
In lieu of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders on Monday, 4 October, presented a Memorandum of demands to the President of India through ADM Kapashera, New Delhi.
Won't Cremate Bodies Until Demands Are Met: Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait says until Minister of State for Home Ajay Misra is not sacked and his son is not arrested, they will not cremate the bodies of the farmers killed on Sunday, 3 October.
"After our demands are met, then only we will cremate them (farmers)," he said at a press conference, as per NDTV. He has also asked for Rs one crore and a government job as compensation for the family members of the deceased farmers.
This 'Murderer Government' Must Resign: Harish Rawat
Congress Leader Harish Rawat has asked for the resignation of the Uttar Pradesh government and Union Minister Ajay Misra.
"It's a shameful incident. This murderer govt (UP govt) should resign & Union Minister should be removed. Those responsible should be arrested," he said, as per ANI.
Navjot Sidhu Asks For Action Against Haryana CM ML Khattar
Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu wants action to be taken against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for his 'tit for tat' comments.
"People who ran vehicles on peaceful protesting farmers (in Lakhimpur) should be arrested. A case of sedition should be registered against Haryana CM ML Khattar for his statement," ANI reports.
UP Denies Landing Permission to Punjab CM Channi's Helicopter
Leave Your Arrogance: SAD's Sukhbir Singh Badal to PM Modi
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal requests Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "leave his arrogance and accept farmers' demands & repeal the three laws" so that the lives of farmers could be saved, ANI reports.
Akhilesh Yadav Released From Detention
Samajwadi party president Akhilesh Yadav has been released from detention.
Yadav had been detained by the police earlier on Monday, after he staged a protest outside his house over not being permitted to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
'This Is Not an Ordinary Incident but a Murder': Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "Why are not we allowed to go there (Lakhimpur Kheri) and meet victim families? Yesterday, police misbehaved with Priyanka Gandhi and stopped her in Sitapur without any warrant. Is sympathizing with anyone now a crime?"
"BJP wants to suppress opposition and crush any voice that is against them. Haryana CM ML Khattar's statement also shows their mentality that wants to end every opposition. This is dictatorship. We will not tolerate it," Baghel was quoted as saying by ANI, alluding to controversial Khattar's statement that had incited volunteers to give farmers 'tit for tat'.
"Most opposition leaders have either been detained or put under house arrest. We demand the Union Minister be removed. This was not an ordinary incident but murder," he added.
'There Should Be No Further Protests': Attorney General KK Venugopal
"Nobody takes responsibility when such unfortunate incidents take place," the Supreme Court says while referring to Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, says there should be no further protests to prevent incidents like in Lakhimpur Kheri.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Calls UP Govt 'Dictatorial', Condemns Gandhi's Detention
"I strongly condemn the detention of AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi ji and other leaders by the Uttar Pradesh Police. She is a prominent opposition leader and was on her way to meet the families of farmers who were killed yesterday in Lakhimpur Kheri district," Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said.
"Unlawful detention of opposition leaders is against democratic norms. First, the farmers protesting peacefully were brutally killed by driving vehicles of BJP leaders' convoy, then opposition leaders are being stopped from going there, which is absolutely wrong," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
"The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab are being prevented from coming to the state by the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh, which is condemnable. Only a dictatorial government can do this. Does the ruling BJP in UP want to destroy democracy?" Gehlot further said.
After Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Now Navjot Singh Sidhu Detained
Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has been detained after he led a protest in Chandigarh against the deaths of four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri.
Sidhu, on Monday, had led a protest by Congress workers outside the residence of the Punjab governor in Chandigarh. The Congress party workers had raised slogans against the Centre over the contentious farm laws.
Sidhu had also demanded the arrest of Union Minister of State Ajay Teni Misra's son for allegedly running a car over protesting farmers on Sunday, NDTV reported.
AAP Delegation to Visit Lakhimpur, Puts Forth 3 Demands
A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be visiting Lakhimpur Kheri, the party announced on Monday.
The delegation will further three demands, the party indicated. The demands have been listed by the AAP as follows:
BJP's "darling son," who trampled the farmers, should be arrested
A judicial probe should be initiated into the matter
Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni should be sacked immediately
Farmers Not Involved in Violence By 'Leftist Methods': RSS-Affiliated Farmers' Union
"Lakhimpur Kheri violence carried out using 'leftist methods' and people were mercilessly beaten to death, something farmers cannot do," Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an RSS-affiliated farmers' group, was quoted as saying by PTI.
Farmers were not involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, BKS further said, adding that people from various political parties were behind it.
'This Is Not an Arrest, This Is Our Battle': Akhilesh Yadav, After Release From Detention
"This is not an arrest This is our battle," Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted after his release from detention.
"Today the distorted form and face of the arrogant BJP has come before the public in the form of killing of farmers. The supporters of BJP have also bowed their heads in shame. The guilt of supporting the killers of Annadata is not allowing even a morsel to come down from his throat," he added.
Yadav had been detained by the UP police earlier on Monday, after he staged a protest outside his house over not being permitted to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
'Draconian Throttling of Democracy': Sitaram Yechury
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, on Monday, tweeted:
"The BJP and Modi government have no business to not allow political parties to reach victims of the barbarism inflicted on farmers yesterday. Strongly condemn this draconian throttling of democracy."
Yechury also participated in a protest march led by the party at Allahabad. The CPI (M) has condemned the Lakhimpur brutality, and has demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter under a Supreme Court judge. It has also demanded that the perpetrators be arrested and Union Minister Ajay Misra be sacked.
(Photo: Twitter/Sitaram Yechury)
Congress Workers Stage Protest in Hyderabad
Congress workers stage a protest in Hyderabad against the alleged murder of four farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
Asaduddin Owaisi Demands Inquiry by Sitting Judge Into Lakhimpur Violence
"I'll be visiting Lakhimpur Kheri, UP to show solidarity with the people who've been murdered by Union Minister's son. It's a heinous crime. It's high time, Modi government should withdraw the 3 farm laws and he should remove this minister," AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was quoted as saying by ANI.
"We demand that for a free-fair investigation, a high court or supreme court sitting judge should monitor the inquiry of this incident (Lakhimpur)," Owaisi stated.
"It's state-sponsored violence. Both state and centre have to be blamed for this (Lakhimpur) incident because the Home MoS made a provocative speech few days ago that within 2 minutes will finish all things (farmer protest) which led to this incident," Owaisi added, alluding to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's controversial speech on giving farmers 'tit for tat'.
SKM Issues Statement on Lakhimpur Violence
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, in a statement issued on Monday, noted that several citizens from across the country gathered to protest against the violence that ensued in Lakhimpur on Sunday.
"Citizens who participated in these protests questioned the impunity and violence with which BJP leaders are operating, and their anti-farmer attitude and behaviour. They demanded immediate dismissal of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, immediate arrest of the Minister's son and his accomplices, a probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, and also the resignation of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar," the SKM said in a press release.
"Reports indicate that FIRs have been lodged against Ashish Mishra Teni and 15 others. However, no arrests have been made," the statement noted.
The umbrella body of farmers further encouraged the protesting citizens to abide by non-violent methods while agitating.
"Samyukt Kisan Morcha clarifies once again that it has never approached the Supreme Court or any other Court for resolution of the core issues of the farmers' agitation - about the 3 anti-farmer central laws or MSP statutory guarantee. SKM has always believed that the three central laws which reflect the anti-farmer policy directions adopted by the Union Government have to be repealed by the government itself," the SKM statement noted.
'This is Not Ram Rajya, But Killing Rajya': Mamata on Lakhimpur Violence
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, condeming the alleged murders of four farmers in Lakhimpur, said that the BJP-led government has created a 'killing rajya'.
"This is a very sad and unfortunate incident. I have no words to condemn this incident. They (BJP govt) don't believe in democracy, they only want autocracy. Is this 'Ram rajya'? No, this is 'killing rajya'," she was quoted as saying by ANI.
Photo: Farmers Mourn Those Killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri Violence
Farmers with mortal remains of their family members who were killed in Sunday's violence in Lakhimpur Kheri.
(Photo: PTI)
In an Old Video That Has Recently Surfaced, MoS Teni Warns Farmers to 'Mend Their Ways'
In a video that has surfaced on Monday, Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Teni Misra, whose son has been accused of murdering four farmers in Lakhimpur, can be heard warning some protesting farmers that he would discipline them in "two minutes."
"I want to tell such people (the farmers) that they should mend their ways. If not, then we will mend them and it will take us all of 2 minutes," says Teni in the clip, which had reportedly been shot last month.
"I don't run away from challenges. The day I take this (farmers' protest) up as a challenge, then not just Ballia (a district in UP), you will have to run away from Lakhimpur also," Misra adds in the video.
While the video is now being extensively shared on social media, The Quint has been unable to verify the veracity of the video, or determine the location and the time it was shot.
'Is Demanding Arrest of Those Who Killed Farmers a Crime?': Sidhu After Release From Detention
"Is demanding the arrest of those who killed farmers a crime?" says Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had, earlier on Monday, been detained for leading a protest in Chandigarh against the alleged murder of eight persons, including four farmers.
Punjab Deputy CM Randhawa, Others Detained on Way To Lakhimpur
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa and Congress leader Kuljit Nagra have been detained on their way to Lakhimpur.
Randhawa and Nagra had been on their way to visit Lakhimpuri Kheri to meet the families of the deceased farmers. They, along with other party leaders, were detained by the UP police in Saharanpur.
After Detainment of Punjab Deputy Minister, CM Channi Condemns 'Tyranny of UP Govt'
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi condemns Uttar Pradesh Police's detainment of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and other Congress MLAs.
The Congress leaders had been detained while on their way to Lakhimpur.
Punjab Cabinet Demands Repeal of Farm Laws, Submits Memorandum
In the wake of the Lakhimpur violence, the Congress-led Punjab Cabinet has submitted a memorandum to the state governor, demanding a withdrawal of the farm laws.
"We condemn the unfortunate incident happened in Lakhimpur Kheri & guilty should be arrested. The reason behind this incident is three farm laws... I along with my ministers met Governor Banwarilal Purohit& gave him the memorandum to repeal the three farm laws," Chief Minister Channi was quoted as saying.
'Blot on Humanity': Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Condemns Lakhimpur Incident
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condemns the violence that took place in Lakhimpur on Monday, and the "undemocratic attempts" to detain the Opposition leaders that followed.
"The heinous incident in Lakhimpur yesterday is a blot on humanity & a blatant display of majoritarian cruelty by the Ruling Party in UP & at Centre. I strongly condemn their undemocratic attempts to detain all Opposition leaders from meeting the bereaved families of the victims," he said in a tweet.
Karnataka Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, Others Stage Protest in Bengaluru
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka state Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar, along with other party leaders, staged a protest in Bengaluru against the Lakhimpur violence and the detainment of Priyanka Gandhi.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
Punjab Cabinet Observes 2 Minutes of Silence for Deceased Farmers
The Punjab Cabinet on Monday observed two minutes of silence to pay home to farmers who lost their lives in Lakhimpur.