Is politics being played over Lakhimpur violence?

Members of various political parties and student organisations staged demonstrations on Monday to express their anger against the incident in Lakhimpur Kheri where violent clashes left four farmers dead a day earlier.

Priyanka Gandhi, who tried to reach Lakhimpur late last night, was detained in Sitapur. As opposition leaders headed to Tikonia village, the Uttar Pradesh authorities clamped section 144 of the CrPC, which bans the assembly of more than four people, in the district. Mobile internet services are restricted.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Singh Channi, BSP's S C Mishra and AAP's Sanjay Singh were among those prevented by the state authorities from reaching Lakhimpur.