Rahul Gandhi terms Lakhimpur incident as ‘massacre’; Akhilesh demands CM’s resignation

The violence in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri in which at least six people died and dozens were injured has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition parties and farmer bodies.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident as “massacre”. In a tweet in Hindi he said, “The one who is silent even after seeing this inhuman massacre, he is already dead. But we will not let this sacrifice go in vain - Kisan Satyagraha Zindabad!”

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted, “Do farmers do not have rights to live?” Enough is enough, she said in a tweet.

Both Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi are likely to visit Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday and meet the bereaved families.

Samajwadi Party chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav sought CM Yogi Adityanath's resignation.

"Had a talk with Tejinder Singh Virk ji, a farmer leader who was seriously injured in the incident," said Akhilesh, blaming BJP workers for the incident.

"In view of his critical condition, the government should immediately provide him with the best treatment. There is only one demand, the chief minister should resign," he said.

In an another tweet, he said the "trampling of farmers by the son of the Union Minister of State for Home" is an inhuman and cruel act.

"UP will not tolerate the oppression of the BJP. If this situation continues, the BJP people will not be able to move in a vehicle, nor will they be able to de-board it," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav is likely to visit Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday.

Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary in a Hindi tweet alleged that the cavalcade of the Union minister ran over the protesting farmers.

When the heinous act of suppressing the protest is "hatched" by the minister, who could be safe, he said.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) also alleged that the son of the Union minister ran over the protesting farmers.

"Three farmers have died. Tejendra Singh Virk has been injured. Rakesh Tikait is leaving from Ghazipur," the BKU said.

Meanwhile, Tikait in a video message on Twitter said, "Farmers in Lakhimpur were returning after the protest when they were attacked. Some of them were run over, while the fire was also opened on them. According to information we have so far, several people have died in the incident."

The president of the Rashtriya Kisan Manch, Shekhar Dixit, termed the incident "shameful".

He demanded that the Union minister tender his resignation immediately. Ajay Mishra and his son must be arrested immediately, he demanded.