Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen cleaning the PAC Guest House in Sitapur, where she has been detained while going to meet the victims of the violence that erupted during a farmers’ protest in Lakhimpur Kheri.
In a video posted on Twitter by NSUI national president Neeraj Kundan on October 4, the Congress leader was sweeping the room with a broom in hand. She is observing fast, he said.
At least nine people were killed as violence erupted during a farmers’ protest, claiming the lives of farmers, BJP workers and a journalist ahead of a visit to Lakhimpur by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on October 3.
A member of her team told media: “The room where she has been lodged was dirty, she cleaned the room herself.”
Congress workers gathered outside the centre to protest her detention.
The Congress accused the police of using physical force against Priyanka Gandhi and Deepender Hooda.
Late last night, Priyanka Gandhi demanded to be shown a warrant when police personnel surrounded her convoy at Sitapur.
“I am not important than the people you have killed. The government you are defending. You give me a legal warrant, a legal basis or else I will not move from here and you won’t touch me,” the agitated Congress leader was heard saying in a video.
“Warrant nikalo, order nikalonahi toh main yahan se nahi hil rahi hoon (Produce a warrant or a legal order or else I am not moving out from here) and if you will put me in that car I will charge you with kidnapping. And the charge will not be against the police but you,” she was heard telling the cop.
Congress leader Deepender Hooda, who was with her, was also allegedly manhandled and pushed.
Earlier on Sunday, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in protests against the visit of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. The protesting farmers said the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri district started after the minister’s son ran over protesters.
Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son has been charged in an FIR by the UP police.