Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Meet Families Of Farmers Run Over In UP

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have reached UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri.They are meeting the family of 19-year-old Lovepreet Singh, who died on Sunday, run over by an SUV allegedly driven by Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra.

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the events in Lakhimpur Kheri and the matter will be heard on Thursday by a bench led by Chief Justice NV Ramana.

Besides Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Channi, KC Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala and Deepender Hooda are part of the Congress team.

Earlier today, junior home minister Ajay Mishra met his boss, Amit Shah, amid opposition demands for his dismissal. Top government sources have ruled out his resignation, saying he has clarified that he and his son were not present. “Let a full investigation take place,” a source said.

All parties are permitted to visit Lakhimpur, but only five people will be allowed, the Uttar Pradesh administration said today. Opposition parties have been clamouring to visit Lakhimpur since Sunday, but the state police did not allow anyone, citing law and order situation.

Rahul Gandhi had a face-off with the UP police when he landed in Lucknow airport over transport arrangements. Mr Gandhi refused to take the route or transport suggested by the police, saying, “Who are you to arrange my transport? I want to leave in my car”.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, lodged at a guest house in Sitapur since her arrest on Monday, was released today to join the Congress team.

AAP leaders Harpal Cheema, Raghav Chadha and others have met the relatives of the Nachhatar Singh, who also died. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has spoken to the family on phone.

Three of the farmers who died on Sunday were cremated yesterday. The fourth farmer, Gurvinder Sngh, who was allegedly shot by Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Misra, was cremated today after a second post-mortem examination.

Four people died on Sunday after a vehicle mowed down farmers who were protesting against the visit of the Union minister and the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Kehsav Maurya. Another four were killed in the violence and arson that followed.

Though Ajay Mishra has admitted the SUV belonged to him, he said he and his son were not present at the spot. Ashish Mishra has not been questioned or arrested by the police.