Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken into preventive custody Friday when she went to meet the victims of Sonbhadra incident in Uttar Pradesh in which 10 people, including three women, were killed over a land dispute. 

The Gandhi scion sat on dharna in Mirzapur alleging that the administration has stopped them from going to Sonbhadra. Earlier in the day, she met victims at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

“I want to peacefully meet the family members of the victims who had fallen to the bullets in the clash. I want to see the orders under which I have been stopped to meet them. I can move ahead only with four people. I want to meet the victims,” Priyanka said while sitting on the dharna.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth promised justice to those killed in the clash saying the sub-divisional magistrate and four other officials were suspended and 29 people have been arrested. A committee under the additional chief secretary (Revenue) has also been constituted and will give its report within 10 days, he said.

On Wednesday, Priyanka had requested Adityanath to keep her security at a minimum during her visits to the state for the convenience of people.

In a letter sent to Adityanath, Priyanka praised the state administration and police for security arrangements made during her visits, but at the same time requested the Chief Minister to reduce the number of personnel and vehicles deployed. 

Indian Express

BDST: 1740 HRS, JUL 19, 2019
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