Senior Congress politicians Rahul Gandhi and Chhatgisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi have left for Lakhimpur Kheri from the Lucknow airport to meet the families of the victims of the farmers who were allegedly killed by Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son during the protest on Sunday.
The delegation was briefly held up at the airport as the police was reportedly not allowing them to proceed in their own vehicle, reported news agencies.
Congress chief ministers Baghel and Channi announced Rs 50 lakh compensation from each of their governments to the kin of the farmers and the journalist who were killed.
“We stand with the families of the farmers who have been murdered. On the behalf of Punjab government, I announce Rs 50 lakhs each to the families of the deceased including the journalist,’ CM Charanjit Singh Channi said.
Facing the pressure from key Opposition party and farmers, the Uttar Pradesh government had allowed Congress leaders to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
Minutes before leaving to the violent hit area, Rahul Gandhi claimed that he is not being allowed to leave the Lucknow airport, pointing to security personnel blocking his way. “What kind of a persmission have I been granted by the UP government? These people are not letting me go out of the airport,” he said. He added, “We want to go in our car (to Lakhimpur Kheri) but they (police) want to take us in their vehicle.”
