Meaning Of Lakhimpur Kheri

A similar playbook was used in Hathras a year ago, and raises many questions on rule of law

- Gilles Verniers

Tragedies offer an opportunity to those who govern to show their mettle. In the case of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, the government of Uttar Pradesh has yet again displayed its seemingly scant regard for democratic norms and justice.

Many, including those at the venue, are alleging that a jeep from the convoy of Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni, ran over four farm law protesters on Sunday, and four others died in the ensuing clashes. After the violence the UP government cordoned the area off, shut communications, prevented journalists and opposition figures from accessing the area (denying landing permits to the Chhattisgarh and Punjab chief ministers, or even detaining some as in the cases of Akhilesh Yadav, Satish Mishra, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra).

In a singular decision, the UP government urged another government to not allow any person from Punjab to visit Lakhimpur Kheri district, citing Section 144. It is difficult to think of a precedent where the inhabitants of a specific state, rather than the population at large, have been subjected to such an order.

The government quickly announced compensation for victims in a move to make the tension simmer down, but hasn’t arrested anyone. The police has announced it will investigate the case.