In UP’s Lakhimpur, October 3 violence a major poll issue

Three months after the violence, the UP Police has filed a charge sheet of 5,000 pages before Lakhimpur’s Chief Judicial Magistrate court. As per the charge sheet, Ashish Misra is the prime accused. The charge sheet says Ashish Misra was present near Tikunia when the violence unfolded. The police have said it was a conspiracy to kill.

On October 3, farmers opposing the three farm reform laws (now repealed) planned to show black flags to Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Misra Teni in Lakhimpur’s Tikunia. There was a minor clash reportedly between Ajay Misra’s son Ashish Misra and the farmers. Then a vehicle allegedly linked to Ajay Misra ran over some farmers, killing five. An angry mob burnt several vehicles and killed three people, taking the toll to eight.

Protesting against the violence, Opposition leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav headed to Lakhimpur but the administration held them back, triggering a huge uproar.