A farmers’ union spokesperson said Sunday the deaths happened after a convoy of vehicles associated with junior home affairs minister Ajay Mishra Teni “ran over several protesters.”
The incident took place in the Lakhimpur Kheri district, about 130 kilometers (81 miles) north of the state’s capital Lucknow.
“In the unfortunate incident of Lakhimpur, eight casualties have been reported till now as per the district administration,” state police tweeted in the early hours of Monday morning.
CNN has reached out to police officials for confirmation of the reports but has not yet heard back.
Protests in Lakhimpur Kheri began on September 25 after Teni reportedly said “farmers should reform themselves or they will be reformed,” according to CNN affiliate CNN-News18.
Tensions escalated Sunday when the state’s deputy chief minister was due to visit the district alongside Teni. Protesters blocked…
