The Uttar Pradesh government has denied permission to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to visit Lakhimpur Kheri, where eight people including four farmers, two BJP workers, a driver and journalist Raman Kashyap were killed on October 3.
Rahul Gandhi, along with party members Sachin Pilot, Charanjit Singh Channi, Bhupesh Baghel and KC Venugopal , was to reach Lucknow today, October 6, and visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of deceased farmers.
Last night, the Lucknow police imposed Section 144 of CrPC till November 8 “to maintain law and order and ensure adherence to COVID19 rules in view of the upcoming festivals, various entrance exams and farmers’ protests”.
During a press conference today, Rahul Gandhi said he along with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will try to visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of the deceased. “Will try to visit Lakhimpur Kheri with two CMs today to meet families of victims,” he said.
“There is a dictatorship in India now. Since yesterday we are being told we can’t go to Uttar Pradesh. Farmers are being mowed down. Name of union minister, his son is coming up but no action is being taken. Farmers being attacked by govt from some time,” said Rahul Gandhi in the press conference today.
However, the Uttar Pradesh government has denied permission to the Congress delegation to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
“Govt has denied permission to Rahul Gandhi. If he arrives in Lucknow, we’ll request him at the airport not to visit Lakhimpur Kheri & Sitapur. SP & DM of Lakhimpur & Sitapur urged us to stop him from coming in wake of law & order situation,” the DK Thakur, Lucknow Police Commissioner was quoted as saying.
The Lucknow Police Commissioner added that Rahul Gandhi will not be allowed to come as his visit to Lakhimpur might create problems.
Yesterday on October 5, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was denied entry into the city when he reached Lucknow airport. Later in the evening, he went back to Delhi.
Priyanka Gandhi arrested
Yesterday on October 5, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of All India Congress Committee, was officially arrested, after being detained for more than 33 hours at PAC guest house in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, about 90 kilometres from the state capital Lucknow.
“Priyanka Gandhi has been arrested while the culprit is roaming free,” Surendra Rajput, spokesperson Indian National Congress, told Gaon Connection.
Mobile internet services have also been suspended in Sitapur, where Priyanka Gandhi has been kept under arrest.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh is also detained in Bharat Palace of Biswan (Sitapur district), about 100 kilometres from Nighasan in Lakhimpur Kheri district, where the violence took place. He was detained on October 4 and have still not been released.
