Lakhimpur Kheri violence: 'Killing Raj' is happening in Uttar Pradesh, says Mamata Banerjee

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders were detained in Sitapur early on Monday, with the party alleging they were not allowed to meet the victims of the violence that erupted during a farmers' protest in Lakhimpur Kheri.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has been taken into preventive custody by the police. He had staged a sit-in protest along with hundreds of supporters outside his Vikramaditya Marg residence after he was prevented from going to Lakhimpur Kheri by the police.

Hundreds of farmers will stage a protest at the district collectorate and in every district across the country on Monday against the violent clash in Lakhimpur Kheri in which at least eight people were killed on Sunday.

Reportedly eight people died in the violence, however officially four deaths have been confirmed so far. An atmosphere of tension prevails in the state since the incident. From farmer leaders to political leaders, everyone is making efforts to reach Lakhimpur Kheri. BKU's Rakesh Tikait has also reached violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri, according to news agency PTI.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, top opposition leaders arrested

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders have reached here early on Monday but alleged they were not allowed to meet the victims of the violence that erupted during a farmers' protest and claimed several lives. The Congress party, through several tweets, claimed that Priyanka and other leaders have been "arrested" by the UP Police.

Priyanka Gandhi, who is accompanied by party leader Deepender Singh Hooda among others, had to take alternative routes to reach the destination as heavy security was deployed on the main roads amid tension in the violence-hit region.

"We are waiting outside the Banbirpur village. We have been prevented by the police from entering. We have come here to meet the victims of the violence," Congress national secretary Dheeraj Gurjar said over the phone at 4.30 am.

What happened in Lakhimpur Kheri?

Farmers were staging a sit-in at Benipur village located in Lakhimpur Kheri and sat on protest at a Helipad, where the helicopter of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya was supposed to be landed. After which it was decided that the Deputy Chief Minister will reach Lakhimpur Kheri via road.

A group of unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at the farmers. Some of the farmers were reportedly even run over by a vehicle. Following this, the angry farmers retaliated by setting two SUVs on fire. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident called it unfortunate.

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