NEW DELHI, October 3, (Asia Free Press): At least eight people have been killed in violent clashes during farmers’ protests in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh over the visit of the state’s deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad, local media reported.
Clashes erupted after the Hindu-nationalist BJP party’s Minister’s son rammed his car into farmer protesters and killed four people.
Two vehicles were torched by the angry farmers, the Indian daily, the Tribune reported.
“A cavalcade was going, which was shown black flags (by farmers). The cavalcade was moving as per routine. When two to three vehicles of the cavalcade were left, a vehicle of it started turning upside down, and two farmers came under it, and they died,” the daily quoted local officials as saying.
“After this, the vehicle which was behind it was damaged. Passengers and the drivers were brought out of the vehicles and they were beaten to death,” the UP government official added.
The clashes resulted in the killing of at least eight people, four of whom were traveling in cars as part of the cavalcade to receive the visiting Chief Minister and four others were protesting farmers.
The opposition parties as well as farmer unions have condemned the violence that resulted due to the state deputy chief minister’s visit.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet sought Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s resignation.
