One person was killed and 35 others injured in violence during the day-long Bharat Bandh protest by Dalit groups over the Apex Court’s order on SC/ST Act. DIG (law and Order) Praveen Kumar on Monday evening confirmed the death of one person in the violence and injury to 35 others. He said that three persons also sustained critical injuries.
Addressing the media in lucknow, Kumar said that 448 people were detained in the state for engaging in violence and arson. “Only 10 per cent of the state was disrupted due to the Bandh while 90 per cent area remained peaceful. The government will also probe and identify people spreading rumours through social media,” he added.
As per reports, protests were marked by violence particularly in western Uttar Pradesh where agitated mobs torched several vehicles, fought pitched battle with the police, stoned shops and even burnt a police outpost in Meerut on Monday. The causality was reported from Muzaffarnagar district. The Bandh, which commenced on a peaceful note in the morning, turned violent as the day passed and reports of violence and arson were reported from Ghaziabad, Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Azamgarh, Hapur and Agra. Former BSP MlA from Hastinapur (Meerut) Yogesh Verma was
also arrested by the police for instigating violence. He is the husband of Meerut Mayor Sunita Verma. Some foreigners, who were travelling on a tourist bus from Kathmandu, had a narrow escape when protesters targeted their bus and pelted stones at Sigri area of Azamgarh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the people to maintain peace and not to take law in their hands. Yogi said in a statement, “The Central and state governments are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SCs & STs. I appeal to all to not disturb the law and order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to the government’s notice.” The state government also issued a high alert in all districts in view of the Bandh. In a directive to all district officials, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar asked them to control the situation with an iron fist. Kumar told media persons in lucknow on Monday that the situation in trouble-torn areas were tense but under control. He said that it seemed prima facie, that the series of incidents were pre-planned by anti-social elements to create disturbances during protests. “We will ensure strict action against the culprits,” he said.