Eight people, consist of four farmers, were killed in the violence raised in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri ahead of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday (October 3, 2021).
The incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a group of over forty farmers’ unions, reported that one of the four farmers, was shot dead by Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni’s son. In contrast, the others were reportedly run over by the vehicles of his fleet. Ajay Misra Teni refused his son’s involvement in the incident, and both Teni and his son said they had proof of Ashish’s innocence.
Overview
The union minister was to be complimented at a prize distribution ceremony at a college in Tikunia. The affair was supposed to be a prestigious one, and since Uttar Pradesh’s Dy CM Maurya was the chief guest. He was also scheduled to inaugurate development projects in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
The protesting farmers were annoyed with Union minister Ajay Misra Teni’s comments during his visit to Lakhimpur Kheri on September 25, when he addressed a farmers’ gathering in his Lok Sabha constituency.
During his visit, the minister was shown black flags by a group of farmers prompting Ajay Misra Teni to warn them over disorderly behavior during protests.
On Sunday, the farmers had reached a college in Tikunia village and blockade a helipad. Keshav Prasad Maurya was supposed to get to the venue by helicopter; however, he had to change his plan after being informed about the farmers’ protest. He decided to travel by road.
When protesting farmers got the news of Maurya travelling by road, they blocked the Tikunia-Banbirpur road. It was at this protest site that the violence took place and took the lives of eight people.
The bodies of four farmers identified as Nakshatra Singh (55), Daljeet Singh (35), Lavepreet Singh (20) and Gurvendra Singh (18), died as vehicles passed over the protesters.
Four other deaths were recorded from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s camp. They were travelling by car and were allegedly dragged out of the car and killed by the protesters.
 Opposition Parties Raises Their Voice
Many videos of the massacre have surfaced since the incident, giving the Opposition parties enough substance to attack the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the UP government and called it “Dictatorship” He added that the UP government had distinguished congress leaders to prevent them from visiting Lakhimpur Kheri. He further added Priyanka had been detained. That is concerning but fine. The primary issue here is that farmers are being looted, attacked, and denied justice.
Likewise, numerous Samajwadi Party leaders, including former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, were detained to prevent them from visiting the victims’ families.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin quoted only a total repeal of the three farm laws will end the impasse between the government and the farmers and accursed the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. He added that the Centre’s “indifference” towards farmers’ issues have led to such violent events.Â
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee tweeted
“I strongly condemn the brutal incident in Lakhimpur Kheri. The apathy of @BJP4India towards our farmer brethren pains me deeply. A delegation of 5 @AITCofficial MPs will be visiting the families of the victims tomorrow. Our farmers will always have our unconditional support.”Â
 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asked for a CBI enquiry into the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has demanded that the delinquent of “such a heinous crime” be given “strictest punishment”.Â
Supreme Courts Take
How can there be protests when the matter is sub judice here? Why are these protests when the laws have been kept in abeyance, asks Bench?
The Supreme Court splashed out at farmers organizations for continuing with the protest against the Centre’s agricultural laws. “When such incidents happen, causing deaths, loss to property and damage, nobody takes responsibility “, A.M. Khanwilkar noted.
Attorney General K.K. Venugopal described the Lakhimpur Kheri violence on Sunday as an “unfortunate incident” The high law officer for the government stated that the court should make it very clear that protests should not continue when the challenge against the farm laws was in the highest court of the country.
