'Reaction to an action': farmer leader Tikait on violence that killed BJP workers

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday said that he doesn't consider those who killed BJP workers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri as culprits as they only reacted to SUV running over protesters.

Eight people were killed in the violence that broke out on October 3 after an SUV allegedly ran over a group of anti-farm law protesters who were demonstrating against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at Tikonia-Banbirpur road in Lakhimpur Kheri.

Also watch: Lakhimpur Kheri case: Ashish Mishra arrested after being questioned for 12 hours

The dead included farmers, BJP workers and a journalist.

"The killing of two BJP workers in Lakhimpur Kheri after a convoy of cars mowed down four farmers is a reaction to an action. I do not consider those involved in the killings as culprits," Tikait said in reply to a question asked during a press conference.