BJP workers on Sunday defied prohibitory orders to hold protests in Noida and Greater Noida demanding arrest of the killers of party leader Vijay Pandit and called for ‘Noida bandh’ on Monday. The district administration had imposed Section 144 fearing reprisal from the supporters of Vijay Pandit, but to no avail.
Incidentally, Gautam Budh Nagar district police had failed to provide security to Pandit despite having prior information that there was threat to his life. The Uttar Pradesh Government has sacked Anuj Chaudhary, the Circle Officer (CO) of the area.
Family members of the slain BJP leader have accused Samajwadi Party leader Narendra Bhati, his two brothers, and notorious gangster Anil Dujana of the murder. Four persons have been detained for questioning.
Pandit succumbed to his injuries in Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad on Saturday. Alleging police inaction, BJP supporters on Saturday torched Dadri police station and jammed NH 91. Several protesters and seven policemen, including Dadri SHO Ashok Sharma, suffered bullet injuries and were admitted to district hospital in Noida. The area witnessed curfew-like situation due to huge deployment of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF).
As situation got out of control, Additional Director General, Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General visited the area. On Sunday morning, incidents of protests, vandalism and arson were reported from various parts of the district. Angry protesters alleged that Vijay Pandit had got several threat calls before and after lok Sabha elections as he was leading the campaign of BJP candidate Dr Mahesh Sharma in Dadri area. They claimed that the leader had made several complaints to the police regarding threat to his life but police neither investigated the matter not provided any security to him.