A vehicle set ablaze following violence after protesting farmers were allegedly run over by a vehicle in Lakhimpur Kheri.
The police on Thursday arrested two persons, Luvkush Rana and Ashish Pandey, in relation to the violence that ensued in Tikunia village in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday, a police spokesperson informed. Both the arrested are said to be close associates of Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, and are currently being interrogated by the police. Ashish has also been named in the FIR.
The two were found seated in the front seats of one of the vehicles which mowed down farmers on Sunday. The car which ran over the protestors was driven by Ashish Mishra, the FIR said. He also opened fire after getting down from the car before going into hiding, the FIR added.
Three SUVs were involved in the violence as per a fresh video which has emerged of the incident. None of the three were under any attack. The first rammed into protestors who were walking with flags at an unexpectedly high speed, followed by the other two.
The Supreme Court has asked the the UP government to file a status report by Friday. It must include details including who have been accused, against whom the FIR has been registered and those arrested. The police official added that raids are ongoing for another accused. The minister's son, however, is still untraceable, he added.