'Undeclared emergency' in UP, alleges MPCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 06 2021: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has come out strongly against the alleged 'illegal' arrest of All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Priyanka Gandhi while on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking at a press conference held at Congress Bhavan in BT Road, MPCC spokesperson Ningombam Bhupenda Meitei said the incident that happened at Tikunia village in Lakhimpur Kheri district in UP where 8 people including 4 farmers were mowed down by a SUV allegedly belonging a BJP leader is very unfortunate.

Following the incident, Priyanka Gandhi had rushed to the site to meet the distressed farmers and families; however she was arrested and detained for 48 hours without any plausible reason by the police at Sitapur, he added.

She was also not produced before a Magistrate nor was she permitted to speak to her legal counsel, he added.

'Undeclared emergency' in UP, alleges MPCC

Ningombam Bhupendra Meitei said the arrest of Priyanka Gandhi and detention without any reason was a clear violation of the provisions provided by the Constitution regarding freedom to move freely and added that there was an undeclared 'State of Emergency in Uttar Pradesh'.

MPCC also questioned why Ashish Mishra, s/o Ajay Mishra, who is MoS Home Affairs, who is said to be in the SUV that mowed down the 8 civilians has not been arrested till now and why internet services in Sitapur area has been shut down.

MPCC demanded that the incident of Lakhimpur Kheri should be probed by a sitting Supreme Court Judge and not by a retired Judge.

Ningombam Bhupenda also said it was very insensitive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was in Lucknow for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to deliberately remain silent and indifferent towards the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

The arrogance of BJP has also reached Imphal as made clear by impositions of illegal restrictions against peaceful and democratic protest staged by AICC leaders Jairam Ramesh, Bhakta Charan Das, MPCC leaders and members and farmers, he added.

In light of the state of lawlessness in UP, it will be only right for President's Rule to be imposed in UP as the State under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has even imposed restrictions and detained many Opposition leaders heading to Lakhimpur Kheri district to meet the victims families, he told the media.

The press conference was also attended by ex MLA Salam Joy; Leni Jadhav, general secretary, AICC (research department) and Kabir Ahamad, president NSUI.