Priyanka Gandhi in Lakhimpur today to pay last respect to farmers killed in the violence

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Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Image: Screengrab from a video tweeted by @priyankagandhi)
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Image: Screengrab from a video tweeted by @priyankagandhi)

Lakhimpur : Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was detained during her first attempt to reach the family of killed farmers in Lakhimpur violence, will today participate in the "antim ardas (final rites)" prayers of the protesting farmers.

Amid the development, heavy barricading and police checks were placed in short distances at Lucknow-Sitapur-Lakhimpur highway.

" Rahul Gandhi Go Back, Priyanka Gandhi Go Back" banners were also sighted along the highway. While some of the banners mentioned who had put them up, others appeared to have vague details about this aspect.

Mostly banners were intending a dig on the Congress leaders, saying 'people' don't want "fake sympathy".

The final prayers will be held at a different place, away from the spot where the violence took place in Tikonia village of Lakhimpur Kehri in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

Ashish Mishra - son of Union Minister of State for home, Ajay Mishra - now arrested, is accused of running his SUV over slogan-shouting farmers in the district on October 3. Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the incident.

Farmer leader and national spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait arrived in Tikunia last night for the programme.

On whether politicians will be part of the prayers, BKU-Tikait district vice president Balkar Singh said, "No political leader will be allowed to share the stage where only Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders will be present."

(Image)