Clashes had started on April 20 when the local MP tried to take out a procession of Maharana Pratap in areas where it was banned by the police: Sources
Saharanpur was rocked by fresh violence on the occasion of Maharana Pratap Jayanti on Tuesday. Demanding compensation for 25 dalits whose houses were burnt by the upper castes, members of dalit community clashed with the police again, torching several vehicles and indulging in arson and stone-pelting.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, taking fresh incidents of violence very seriously, summoned DGP Sulkhan Singh and Home Secretary Devashish Panda in the evening and asked them to deal those vitiating peace with a strong hand.
Due to inadequate police force, the mob indulged in heavy stone-pelting and even resorted to firing at a few places. About half a dozen cops, including a circle officer, sustained injuries and the SP City had to run for life when agitated mob chased him. A car, two two-wheelers and property worth several lakhs were gutted in arson.
Later, senior police officers rushed to Gandhi Park with additional force and brought the situation under control. Sporadic violence has been reported from different parts of Saharanpur for the past 20 days. One person was killed in violence on May 5.
Last Friday, Dalits had clashed with members of the upper castes when the latter tried to take out procession of Maharana Pratap from lower caste-dominated areas. Many Thakurs were injured in the incident. Later, members of upper caste targeted dalit colonies and torched 25 houses.
Clashes had actually started from April 20, 2017 when the BJP MP from Saharanpur Raghav Lakhanpal tried to take out procession of Maharana Pratap in areas where it was banned by the district administration.
Later, the BJP MP and his supporters allegedly attacked then SSP Love Kumar's residence and holed up his wife and kids for over two and half hours. The SSP was later transferred by the government.
On Tuesday, members of Bheem Army assembled at Gandhi Park to hold a dharna without seeking any permission. When police tried to disperse them, they suddenly attacked the men in khakhi. A few round of firing by the mob was also reported. Clashes were reported from Rampur Maniharan and other areas also.
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