Violence in UP's Lakhimpur-Kheri after farmers run over by vehicle

Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), Oct 3 (IANS) Several persons were injured and three vehicles were set on fire when protests on farm laws took a violent turn and unidentified persons opened fire at the farmers.Infuriated farmers set three jeeps on fire after some of the protestors were run over by the vehicles. One of the vehicles belongs to Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra Teni.Over a dozen farmers have been injured and unconfirmed reports said that three farmers had died in the incident. Officials, however, refused to confirm the number of deaths or the number of persons injured in the incident.Earlier in the day, thousands of farmers had marched to Tikuniya on Sunday and staged protests against the Uttar Pradesh government.Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya was scheduled to reach Banvir village to attend a programme organised by the Union Minister.However, farmers occupied the helipad site at Maharaja Agrasen Sports Ground, where his helicopter was to land.Following this, the Deputy Chief Minister's programme was changed and he reached Lakhimpur by road from Lucknow.Angry farmers in Tikunia protested by uprooting the hoardings welcoming him.The farmers came from adjoining villages like Palia, Bhira, Bijua, Khajuria and Sampurna Nagar with black flags in their hands.Meanwhile, Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesman Rakesh Tikait said that he is reaching Lakhimpur to meet the injured farmers.A heavy deployment of forces has been made in the area and police from adjoining districts is also being called in to control the situation.
--IANS amita/vd

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