Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Police give security to 60 witnesses

At least 17 more witnesses, whose statements have been recorded before the judicial magistrate under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are likely to get a gunner.

Following the Supreme Court directive to provide security to witnesses in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, which claimed the lives of eight people on October 3, the Uttar Pradesh police have assigned one armed personnel each to 60 such witnesses, additional superintendent of police (ASP) Arun Kumar Singh said on Saturday. A few more witnesses will be provided security after their threat perception, Singh added.

Judicial statements of 77 witnesses have been recorded till Saturday. (Agencies)

Sharing further details, another police officer, on condition of anonymity, said at least 17 more witnesses, whose statements have been recorded before the judicial magistrate under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are likely to get a gunner.

Over 50 people, who were present at the site of the incident on October 3, turned up to record their statements at the crime branch office at Lakhimpur Kheri reserve police lines on Saturday, after the SIT released contact numbers of its members, urging eyewitnesses to come forward to record their statement and provide digital evidence.

Judicial statements of 77 witnesses have been recorded till Saturday.

Besides, the statements of over 30 more witnesses have been recorded by police under Section 161 of CrPC on Saturday, the officer said. These witnesses were not presented before the judicial magistrate.