Farmers call off protest in UP after govt agrees to compensation
text_fieldsThe farmers' protest in Lakhimpur Keri in Uttar Pradesh, protesting over Sunday's violence that killed three and injured several, has been called off.
The state government has announced compensations for the families of the dead and the injured. The families of those who died will receive Rs 45 lakh, and injured people will be compensated with Rs 10 lakh, reported NDTV.
Farmers have agreed to cremate the body of four people who died during the violence. The police have assured that an investigation will be carried out based on the victims' families' complaints.
Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son, Ashish Mishra, allegedly drove a vehicle into the protest and mowed down the farmers, triggering violence. A murder case has been filed against him. Farmers were trying to stop the visit of Union Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
Ajay Mishra, the junior home minister, has denied that his son was present there. He added that the farmers were attacked by miscreants with sticks and swords.
The UP government has ordered the state police to prevent opposition leaders from visiting the area. Congress's Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was arrested on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri. The BSP was also denied visitation rights.
Furthermore, the Lucknow airport authority has been requested to prevent the arrival of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder S Randhawa.