Priyanka Gandhi shares viral video of farmers getting hit by SUV, tags PM

A video of an SUV
hitting a group of sloganeering farmers marching in a line is going viral on
social media. The video was purportedly shot in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri
district over the weekend where eight people, including four farmers, were
killed in violence amid farmers’ protests.

Also Read | Eight killed, 6 injured in Lakhimpur Kheri violence: What we know so far

In the 25-second
video clip, one can see farmers falling to the ground as the car hits them
while others scramble to get out of its way. The video, whose authenticity has
not been verified by Opoyi, was shared by Congress’ UP general secretary
Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday morning.

Priyanka Gandhi
Vadra has been in detention since early morning Monday. Gandhi was detained
while she was on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of the
deceased. On Tuesday morning, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted: “@narendramodi Sir, your
government has kept me in custody for the last 28 hours without any order and
FIR. This person who crushed the annadata (farmers) has not been arrested yet.
Why?”

Several leaders,
including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were detained on Monday as they
made plans to travel to Lakhimpur Kheri. Police denied permission to leaders
from Punjab to go to the district and speak to farmers. 

Also read: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra detained as Lakhimpur Kheri turns political hotspot

Uttar Pradesh has
been on the boil since Sunday when a group of protesting farmers in Tikonia
area of Khoni district tried to block Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra and
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya from visiting because they were upset
over a speech by Ajay Kumar Mishra.

Farmers claim that
violence broke out after one of the cars in the minister’s convoy ran over
protestors. Visuals from the area accessed by media outlets showed arson and
vehicles set on fire. The protesting farmers have alleged that the vehicle that
rammed into protestors was being driven by Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son. A murder
case has been filed against Mishra’ son, according to NDTV.

However, minister
Ajay Kumar Mishra has said that he is not aware of any FIR against his son and
denied his son’s involvement in the incident. “My son wasn’t present at the
spot. There were miscreants who attacked workers with sticks and swords. Had my
son been there, he wouldn’t have come out alive,” Mishra told ANI.

The Uttar Pradesh
government has promised to pay compensation of Rs 45 lakh to the families of
the deceased farmers. Those injured will receive a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.
Further, a retired judge will investigate the matter, the state government has
said.