Rajnath condemns Mathura violence after 21 killed, Akhilesh orders probe
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Two policemen, including a superintendent of police were among the 21 killed while 40 others injured after clashes broke out in in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh following an eviction drive late on Thursday. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered a probe into the incident.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke to Yadav, expressed anguish over the loss of lives and assured all necessary help to the state government. 19 people have been killed apart from SP City Mukul Dwivedi and SHO, Farah, Santosh Yadav, Pradeep Bhatnagar, Commissioner, Agra Division, said on Friday.
A magisterial probe has also been ordered, he said.
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The violence had erupted when police were trying to evict illegal occupants, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi, from Jawahar Bagh on Thursday after orders from the Allahabad High Court.
In Lucknow, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered a probe by the divisional commissioner of Mathura, an official spokesperson said. DGP Javed Ahmed and Principal Secretary (Home) Debashish Panda have rushed here.
The Union Home Minister said he has reviewed the situation in Mathura. "I have spoken to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pardesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have assured him of all possible help from the Centre.
"I am anguished over the loss of lives in the incident in Mathura. May God give strength to the bereaved families," Rajnath Singh said.
A scene during clashes between the police and the encroachers who were being evicted from Jawaharbagh in Mathura. (Photo: PTI)
The activists used not only hand grenades but also opened fire from automatic weapons after taking position on tree tops, DM Rajesh Kumar had said. The area was filled with smoke following explosions from hand grenades and LPG cylinders and several huts caught fire, he said.
Police said some vehicles bearing Madhya Pradesh registration number have been found. "The wrath of people against encroachers was such that when they were retreating, they were severely beaten by the public," an official said.
Over two years ago, activists of splinter group of Baba Jai Gurudeo, who described themselves as 'Satyagrahis' had occupied hundreds of acres of land of Jawahar Bagh on the pretext of 'dharna'.
Their demands included "cancellation" of election of President and Prime Minister of India, replacement of existing currency with 'Azad Hind Fauj' currency, sale of diesel at the rate of 60 litres for one rupee and petrol at the rate of 40 litres for one rupee.
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The station house officer (SHO) of the Farah police station Santosh Yadav and the Superintendent of Police (City) Mathura Mukul Dwivedi were killed when activists of Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena (SBSS) opened fire at the police party that attempted to evict it from Jawahar Park late on Thursday evening.
According to Mathura police, two bullets hit Yadav, who was declared dead on arrival by doctors at Niyati Hospital. Dwivedi, who was placed on ventilator support, succumbed to bullet injuries later, said doctors at the private hospital. Over 100 people, including the city magistrate Ram Araj Yadav, were also injured in the clash that lasted for almost four hours.
Reports said that the police had failed to evict them earlier despite a court issuing orders to do so. The 260-acre park is valued in crores of rupees. The clashes started as a police team went to the park.
Uttar Pradesh's Director General of Police Javed Ahmed said that there was unprovoked firing from the members of an offshoot of the Jai Gurudev sect. He claimed that heavily armed men from the other side fired at the police and the latter had to resort to a baton charge and tear gas shelling and finally opened fire.
Calling the situation 'tense', Ahmed said reinforcements, including senior police officers, are being sent to the area.
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According to police, members of this outfit and another smaller organisation, Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena, had been staging demonstrations at Jawahar Bagh over the last two-and-a-half years. Among the other demands posted on their Facebook page are: "We demand all records relating to the 'Ruler of the Nation', law and order, and also the document of citizenship (which shows how we are citizens of the nation) to be made public."
The high court had, acting on a PIL, directed the authorities to vacate the land. In April, Mathura district administration has issued a notice to the protesters asking them to vacate the land. The land falls under the Horticultural Department of the UP government, and attempts by its officials to evict the people had failed.
