Cop injured in stone-pelting after PM's rally in Ghazipur dies, UP CM announces compensation

The deceased constable hailed from Raniganj in Pratapgarh district.

LUCKNOW: A police constable, who was seriously injured in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur when protesters hurled stones at vehicles returning from the venue of a public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Two other local residents were also injured in the stone pelting incident. 

According to Ghazipur Police, Constable Suresh Vats (48) from Karimuddinpur police station was hit on the head by a stone when he went to end a traffic jam caused by the protests.

Superintendent of Police (Ghazipur) Yashveer Singh said the protesters were workers from the Rashtriya Nishad Party who were prevented by the administration and the police from going to the rally venue.

Earlier visuals from Ghazipur: 1 constable dead & 2 locals from the area injured in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area today. pic.twitter.com/FAGzcFSyUe — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 29, 2018

''When the Prime Minister had left Ghazipur, the party workers blocked traffic at various places and started pelting stones on the vehicles returning from the programme venue," he said.

Mahipal Pathak, CO, Sadar: He(Constable Suresh Vats) was returning after completing his duty at the PM event today.Some ppl from Nishad community were protesting near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area where stone pelting incident took place during which he was hit.#Ghazipur pic.twitter.com/vesUmxIXfn — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 29, 2018

"Vats was immediately taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,'' the SP said.

He said about 15 party workers were detained.

#WATCH One constable dead & two locals from the area injured in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area, earlier today. #Ghazipur pic.twitter.com/FnviOzuRIU — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 29, 2018

The police are trying to identify other protesters through the video footage of the incident.

The constable hailed from Raniganj in Pratapgarh district.

Expressing grief over the constable's death, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 40 lakh for his wife and Rs 10 lakh for his parents.

#UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी ने गाजीपुर में हुई पत्थरबाजी की घटना में पुलिस कांस्टेबल सुरेश वत्स की मृत्यु पर गहरा शोक व्यक्त किया है। उन्होंने मृतक की पत्नी के लिए 40 लाख रुपये और असाधारण पेंशन देने की घोषणा की है। — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) December 29, 2018

The CM also directed the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to take strict action against unruly elements and immediately arrest them.

#UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी ने गाजीपुर की घटना के दृष्टिगत डीएम व एसएसपी को निर्देश दिये हैं कि दोषियों के खिलाफ सख्त कानूनी कार्रवाई की जाए। — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) December 29, 2018

The death comes less than a month after the killing of Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, who was shot dead during mob violence in Bulandshahr district over alleged cow slaughter.

The man who allegedly shot the Bulandshahr inspector was arrested this week.

PM Modi had addressed a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on Maharaj Suheldev.

He had left for Varanasi when the violence in Ghazipur took place. 

(With Agency Inputs)