Adityanath blames Congress for Sonbhadra massacre that claimed 10 lives

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday reiterated that the Congress was responsible for the murder of 10 tribal farmers who were shot dead over land dispute violent in Sonbhadra district this week.

Adityanath who flew to Sonbhadra from Lucknow and then went by road to Umbha village to meet the families of the victims also said that the village headman and main accused in the shooting, Yagya Dutt was affiliated to the Samajwadi Party.

The chief minister announced compensation of ₹18.50 lakh each for the kin of 10 people who were shot dead in Umbha village and ₹2.5 lakh each to those injured. The government had earlier announced compensations of of ₹5 lakh and ₹50,000 respectively.

All 10 victims were Gond tribals who were shot dead when the village headman Yagya Dutt and his supporters allegedly opened fire in an attempt to take possession of a piece of land.

He promised strict action against the accused.

“None of them would be spared. Strict action would be ensued against every accused,” he said.

Watch | After Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath meets families of Sonbhadra shooting survivors

Adityanath’s visit to Umbha village came a day after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the family members of the 10 victims at the Chunar fort guest house where she had been detained after police stopped her at Narayanpur while she was on her way to Sonbhadra.

He also attacked Priyanka who had criticised the ruling BJP for not meeting the families of the victims and accused the government of trying to silence them.

Adityanath accused the grand old party of shedding crocodile tears over the farmers’ death. “The Umbha incident is result of the sins of the Congress party whose leaders are shedding crocodile tears over the incident.”

Under fire from the opposition over the massacre, Adityanath blamed the Congress for a “political conspiracy” the roots of which he claimed was laid more than 50 years ago and said the government would take “strict action against those who tried to steal land”.

“Tribals who have been cultivating the land will continue to do so. Apolice outpost will be set up in Umbha village,” he said.

He said it is also being investigated that how the land was registered in the name of the village head.

The government also came under flak with opposition parties charging it with trying to protect the accused. Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, the Left and the Trinamool Congress hit out at the government on Saturday.

Shortly after Adityanath’s announcement, Priyanka Gandhi took to Twitter to claim that pressure from the Congress forced him to act.

“It is only because of Congress workers’ demand for justice for the affected villagers that the government realised that the matter was serious. I hope the government will fulfill the announcements it made today. Tribals should get land ownership and there should be security for them,” she tweeted.