Bharat Bandh: Normalcy returns in UP, cops hunt for violence perpetrators

Normalcy returned to about half a dozen districts of Western Uttar Pradesh which witnessed large-scale violence during Bharat Bandh by Dalit organisations. Two people, including a 19-year-old Dalit, were killed and over 100 were injured in violent clashes on Monday.

Accompanied by district magistrates and SSPs, security forces conducted flag march in violence-hit areas of Agra, Meerut, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar to maintain law and order. A close round the clock vigil is being kept following the Supreme Court refusal on Tuesday to amend its earlier order which led to wide-spread violent protest from members of Dalit community in districts of Western Uttar Pradesh.

The administration heaved a sigh of relief after no untoward incident was reported from any part of Western Uttar Pradesh. The government has, however, alerted security agencies to keep a round the clock vigil to thwart any attempt for fresh trouble.

“We have stepped up security in violence-hit areas to keep the trouble-makers at bay in order to maintain peace and law and order,” said DIG Law and Order Praveen Kumar.

Over 450 people, including a former BSP MLA Yogesh Verma, was arrested in connection with Monday’s violence. The UP police is obtaining CCTV footage, recording statements from media persons, eye-witnesses and general public who were beaten and became victims during the Bharat Bandh to make a case against the arrested persons for inciting violence.

“We are collecting evidences to slap provisions of National Security Act (NSA) against those who incited and indulged in large-scale violence and caused damaged to government and public property in Meerut,” said SSP Meerut Manjil Saini. Over 200 persons, including the ex-BSP MLA, were rounded up in Meerut alone.

Meanwhile, the BJP has held BSP and Samajwadi Party responsible for Monday’s violence during Bharat Bandh. The party claims to have collected video footage and other evidences to prove its charge.

The party has also raised questions why no Bharat Bandh was called by Dalit organisations when then Chief Minister Mayawati had imposed Supreme Court like restrictions on the (mis) use of provisions of the SC/ST Act in 2002 and again in 2007. They have circulated copies of her Government Orders dated June 2002 and May 2007 in Social Media to prove their point.

It was due to this reason, the BSP Supremo Mayawati had reacted cautiously on the violence during Bharat Bandh. “The BSP supports no change in SC/ST Act but disapproves any violence. The government should initiate action against those indulged in violence,” she had reacted on Monday.