Lakhimpur incident aftermath: Showdown between Congress and Yogi govt over Rahul Gandhi's visit

The Yogi government also denied permission to the Congress leader to meet the family members of the famers in Lakhimpur Kheri Wednesday.

Lucknow police commissioner D K Thakur said here Wednesday that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders will not be allowed to come out of the airport as permission has not been given to them for their visit.

Rahul along with Punjab and Chhattisgarh Chief Ministers, Charanjeet Singh Channi and Bhupesh Baghel respectively, are slated to reach Lucknow Wednesday afternoon.

The district authorities of Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri and even Bahraich have strengthened security and have asked the telecom companies to shut internet services in these three districts.

The borders of Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri have been sealed and no politicians will be allowed to enter these two districts, police sources here said.

On his visit, Rahul said, "Section 144 bars five people from visiting a place. We three people are going. That is allowed under Section 144."

"Not all parties were stopped from visiting the place (of violence). Two other parties were allowed," he added.

The internet services in Lakhimpur Kheri, which was stopped on Sunday, was partially restored on Tuesday night, but was again totally snapped Wednesday morning.

Internet services in Sitapur and Bahraich were stopped from Wednesday morning.

In Lucknow too, after promulgation of section 144 on Tuesday night, the authorities have stepped up security in the state capital on Wednesday. Additional forces have been deployed at the airport.

On the other hand, Congress leader from Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot, has left for Sitapur from Jaipur this morning along with Pramod Krishnan.