UP govt allows politicians to visit Lakhimpur Kheri

The Uttar Pradesh government has now granted permission to all political parties to visit Lakhimpur Kheri where eight people died in violence during a farmers' protest three days back.

However, only five people will be allowed at a time, a top official said.

Earlier in the day, the state government had denied permission to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his visit to the violence-hit district, with an official spokesperson saying no one would be allowed to go there to vitiate the atmosphere.

Later, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi told PTI in Lucknow, "Permission has been given to political parties to visit Lakhimpur. Only five people will be allowed."

Before this, ACS, Information, Navneet Sehgal had said permission had been given to five leaders of the Congress, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to visit Lakhimpur.

Priyanka Gandhi is in detention since Monday morning at the a Provincial Armed Constabulary guest house in Sitapur. She was on her way to meet the families of farmers killed in Sunday's violence in Lakhimpur Kheri when she was stopped.

Meanwhile, ADG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar told reporters the government has no intentions to restrict anyone's movement.

"The movement was restricted to maintain peace and law and order. Now, those who want to visit Lakhimpur can go but in groups of five only," Kumar said.

About the ongoing probe in Lakhimpur case and likely arrests, Kumar said as peace is maintained the probe will move forward and "no one will be spared".

He said a helpline number and an e-mail Id have been issued for people to submit evidence and share any detail related to the incident.

He, however, said action will be taken against those who are sending misleading videos.