Death of youth worker creates stir during Congress protest in Lucknow

An unfortunate incident took place during the Congress assembly gherao protest in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The death of Gorakhpur Youth Congress worker Prabhat Pandey has shocked everyone. Congress has made serious allegations against the police regarding this incident. State Congress President Ajay Rai called it the result of police brutality, while the police has not yet given any clear statement on the cause of death.

Scuffle and police action during the demonstration

Congress workers had gathered in large numbers at the party office to gherao the assembly. During this, there was a fierce altercation between the police and Congress workers. The police had set up barricades to stop the protesters.

• Many workers got injured while climbing the barricades.
• State President Ajay Rai also became unconscious during the scuffle and was brought back to consciousness by sprinkling water.

This situation proved fatal for Youth Congress worker Prabhat Pandey. Prabhat became unconscious amid the jostling and crowd. He was immediately taken to the Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Congress’s allegation: Death due to police brutality

Congress held the police directly responsible for this incident.

• Congress said that Prabhat Pandey died due to the sharp barricades and use of force by the police.
• Ajay Rai tweeted:
  

  “This incident is extremely sad and condemnable. Our young friend Prabhat Pandey is no longer with us. This is an example of the barbarity of the Yogi government.”

Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak gave clarification

On receiving information about the incident, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak reached Civil Hospital. He said:

“As soon as I got information about the incident, I asked the hospital director to make arrangements for Prabhat’s treatment. Unfortunately he died. The situation will be clear only after post-mortem.”

Confusion over cause of death

There is no official confirmation yet on the cause of Prabhat Pandey’s death.

• The real cause of death will be revealed only after the post mortem report comes.
• The police rejected allegations of barbarity in this case and said that there could be other reasons behind the death.

Congress’s attack on Yogi government

Congress targeted the Yogi government regarding this incident.

• Ajay Rai said that the police had deliberately installed sharp barricades to stop the protest.
• He termed it a conspiracy to murder Congress workers.

The official handle of the Congress party tweeted:

“The murderous police of Yogi government took the life of one of our young friends. This incident is a deep blow to our party.”

Purpose and controversy of assembly siege

Congress had organized the demonstration to corner the Yogi government on public issues.

• The party claims that the Yogi government has failed on issues of public concern.
• There was a heated confrontation between the police and the workers during the demonstration.

There was a commotion in the hospital

As soon as the news of Prabhat Pandey’s death was received, a crowd of Congress workers gathered in the hospital.

• State President Ajay Rai and other senior leaders reached the spot.
• Heavy police force was deployed in the hospital.

Question on sharp barricades

Even before the demonstration, Congress had raised questions on the police strategy.

• Ajay Rai had expressed doubt on the intentions of the police regarding the sharp barricades on Tuesday night itself.
• Today’s incident further strengthened these allegations of Congress.

Politics heats up in UP

After this incident, the political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh has heated up.

• Congress called it an example of the repressive policy of the Yogi government.
• BJP termed it a part of Congress’s politics and assured a fair investigation into the matter.