Lakhimpur Kheri: BJP Workers Seek Martyr Status For Slain Members; Farmers Blame Them

LAKHIMPUR KHERI (UTTAR PRADESH) The violence on Sunday has left a lot of scars in Lakhimpur Kheri with BJP workers demanding martyr status for the deceased members of their party even as many others in the village hold the party responsible for the deadly clashes.

Eight people lost their lives while several others were injured in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday in the violent clash.

The violent confrontation broke out after four farmers were allegedly mowed down by vehicles driven by BJP workers travelling to welcome Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

The driver was allegedly dragged out of the vehicle and then lynched by the irate protesters.

Two cars were set ablaze.

Minister of state for home (MoS) Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son is being accused of ramming an SUV into farmers, on Tuesday dismissed charges on his presence, saying the family was holding fort at a wrestling championship since 11 AM till the evening while the clashes between farmers and BJP supporters took place four kilometers away from the event. ALSO READ & WATCH: Ajay Mishra Rubbishes Charge On Son’s Presence In Lakhimpur Kheri Site, Says Sad Farmers Were Armed

Mishra made these disclosures while speaking to The New Indian’s Pramod Kumar Singh and Anand Kumar Singh at his office in Civil Lines area of Kheri.

When specifically asked about the video in which a Thar SUV is seen running over protesters, Mishra denied involvement of his family members.

“All charges against him and my son are baseless. A traditional wrestling competition had been going on in my village. This time UP deputy CM Keshav Maurya was the chief guest that day. It was an outdoor event which was open to all. Thousands of people came to watch it. My son was there,” he told The New Indian.