UP allows politicians to visit Lakhimpur Kheri in groups of 5

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 6

In signs of de-escalation on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that led to eight killings, the UP government on Wednesday allowed political parties to meet families of victims in groups of five, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a detailed report on the incident.

UP cops allowed politicians to travel to Lakhimpur Kheri with the last rites of all four deceased farmers having been done. The fourth farmer, Gurvinder Singh, was cremated on Wednesday after a second autopsy was conducted on his body.

Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra also met Home Minister Amit Shah in the North Block triggering questions on whether the government would take action against him as he has been named in one of the FIRs for political conspiracy in the Sunday violence.

Mishra’s son Ashish has been booked for murder with the opposition and farmer leaders demanding the arrest of Ashish and the sacking of his father.

Modi, meanwhile, is learnt to have received a detailed report on the incident. A dossier has also been sent to home ministry for review.

Back in UP, DGP Law and Order Prashant Kumar said a decision had been taken to allow people to visit Lakhimpur Kheri in groups of five. This means the Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi, and AAP leader Sanjay Singh and others can now meet victims’ families.

Kumar said the police would probe every video uploaded on social media with respect to the Sunday violence.

“We appeal to people not to provoke the situation. All videos will be probed and action taken against the fake ones,” said Kumar.