Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that he, along with two other chief ministers, will visit Lakhimpur Kheri to understand the situation.

Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said, “Today, with two CMs we will visit Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh to understand the situation there and support the farmers’ families. Yes, Priyanka has been put under detention (in Sitapur) but this is a matter relating to the farmers.”

“Farmers are being mowed down by a jeep. They are being murdered, the name of a union minister and his son is coming up in this incident (Lakhimpur Kheri). Yesterday, the PM visited Lucknow but he didn’t visit Lakhimpur Kheri. It’s a systematic attack on farmers,” ANI quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying.

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Meanwhile, Lucknow Police Commissioner DK Thakur said that the government has denied permission to Rahul Gandhi.

“If he (Rahul Gandhi) arrives in Lucknow, we’ll request him at the airport not to visit Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. SP and DM of Lakhimpur and Sitapur urged us to stop him from coming in wake of law and order situation,” Thakur said.

Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi was arrested by UP Police under Section 151 after first-hand information (FIR)was filed against Priyanka Gandhi and 10 others for disturbing the peace in the state, after 30 hours of detention.

Several Congress leaders, including P Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi and Bhupesh Baghel, condemned Priyanka’s arrest and prior detention calling it “illegal” and “gross violation of the law.”

Priyanka Gandhi was detained by UP police on Monday morning along with other party leaders including Deependra Singh Hooda on her way to violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh to visit the families of the farmers who were killed during Sunday’s unrest.