Kasganj violence: Congress demands judicial probe, says 'mismanagement' by UP govt led to clashes

The Congress on Sunday demanded an independent judicial probe by a sitting high court judge into violence in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj that erupted after a boy was killed in clashes following stone-pelting on a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate Republic Day.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari alleged callousness and mismanagement on the part of the Uttar Pradesh government and local administration led to clashes between two communities in Kasganj.

He said the continuing violence threatened peace in the entire state.

"How did this happen, who did it? The truth will come out only when an independent judicial probe is conducted by a sitting high court judge.We demand an independent probe by a sitting high court judge into the incident," he said.

"Till when will incidents of gangrape continue under your rule and in the BJP-ruled states. When will you apprehend the culprits and give them exemplary punishment?" he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The clashes happened after stones were reportedly pelted on the motorcycle rally taken out by VHP and ABPV volunteers as part of celebrations on the 69th Republic Day.

The local administration has arrested 53 people for rioting and damaging public and private properties, besides imposing a curfew in the district. The authorities have shut down the Internet, and schools and colleges in the area as precautionary measures. 

A strong posse of RAF and PAC personnel have intensified vigil in the district, whose borders have been sealed to stop elements detrimental to peace from sneaking into the city.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had condoled the loss of life and told the police to sternly deal with the culprits.

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

The state police said that a complaint has been registered at the Kasganj police station and a special team has been formed to arrest others involved in the violence.

(With PTI inputs)