Kasganj violence: Internet services suspended till 10 pm Sunday; situation under control, say police

Kasganj: Section 144 continued to be imposed in Kasganj on Sunday following clashes that took place on the Republic Day. Also, internet services have been suspended till 10 pm on Sunday.

However, Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singh said that situation was under control. "No incidents have taken place in the last few hours. A number of people were arrested, patrolling has been intensified, priority is to maintain law and order," he said.

IG Sanjeev Kumar too said, "The situation is under control now. Accused have been identified. One country made bomb and pistol also recovered from the residence of one of the accused," as per ANI. 

On January 27, 2018, at least three shops, two private buses and a car were torched on the second day of violence in Kasganj city, police had said after a young boy was killed in clashes following stone- pelting on a motorcycle rally was taken out to celebrate the Republic Day.

Elaborating about the extent of damage, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kumar had told PTI, "In all, three shops have been damaged, by pouring petrol below the shutter and setting it afire. Fire was also set on the seats of two private buses, but the engine of the buses are intact. One empty kiosk was also set ablaze by the anti-social elements. In the evening, the seats of an abandoned car were set ablaze."

Meanwhile, District Magistrate RP Singh had said, "Internet services were also suspended in the trouble-torn area till 10 pm on January 28."

Elaborating on the genesis of the clashes, the police had said in a statement that a few people were riding motorcycles carrying the tricolours and were chanting 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

As the procession reached minority community-dominated Baddunagar, "anti-social elements" pelted stones and opened fire. "In this (firing), Chandan was killed and Naushad was injured. Naushad was referred to Aligarh for treatment," it had said. Another man, identified as Akram, had received head injuries.

The motorcycle rally was taken out by VHP and ABVP volunteers as part of celebrations on the 69th Republic Day.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had described the violence as unfortunate and had said that the people behind it would not go unpunished.

(With PTI inputs)