Violence in UP, Yogi Adityanath warns of revenge against arsonists

(“The property of each element involved in this violence will be confiscated, and used to recover compensation for public property which was damaged. All their faces have been identified. They are visible in the videography and CCTV footage. We will take revenge by confiscating their properties, I have ordered strict action.”)

Protesters pelt stones at police during a protest in Lucknow on Thursday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

In Lucknow’s Hazratganj area, protesters, including students, lawyers, social activists and political workers, started gathering around 1.30 pm. In the next half-an-hour, several protesters were detained and sent away in private and police vehicles. State Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu was detained from Parivartan Chowk, near Hazaratganj area, around 2.30 pm.

Around 3.30 pm, a group of protesters, mostly youths, started pelting stones from across a police barricade at Parivartan Chowk. At least 10 private vehicles, including an OB van of a news channel, were set on fire. Police then used lathi-charge and tear-gas to disperse the protesters.

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A protester said the arson started suddenly. “We had been protesting peacefully since 1.30 pm. We were coordinating with police, and they assured us of our safety. We also assured them that our protest would be peaceful,” he said.

Protester torched down a police vehilce as anti-CAA protests took a violent turn in Lucknow on Thursday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

A woman protester said some “political workers” indulged in violence. “They swamped the Parivartan Chowk and indulged in arson and violence all of a sudden… Before that, the protest was peaceful,” she said.

Protesters also vandalised Madheyganj and Sakhanda police outposts, in the Old City area, first pelting stones and later setting ablaze vehicles parked outside.

Inspector General, Law and Order, Praveen Kumar said they were trying to identify those involved in the violence, and strict action would be taken against them.

Violent protests were also reported from Sambhal in the afternoon. According to sources, several SP leaders and workers were placed under house arrest early in the day, as they had announced a protest.

Police pushes back protesters in Lucknow on Thursday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Around 1.30 pm, protesters gathered near Chaudhary Sarai police outpost, in Kotwali police station area of Sambhal, and indulged in violence. A state roadways bus was set ablaze and another was vandalised, along with several private vehicles, in the violence that continued for an hour.

“The situation is under control now. Around 20 arrests have been made so far; an identification and search process is still on, and more arrests are expected. Internet facilities have been suspended… Police personnel are carrying out a flag-march in the affected area. Serious action will be taken against those involved in today’s violence,” said Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Krishna Singh.

The UP police said 3,417 people were taken into custody across the state as part of preventive action. While 13 FIRs have been registered for objectionable posts on social media, five persons have been arrested. According to the police statement, 16 police personnel were injured in Lucknow and two others in Sambhal.

Meanwhile, Internet services have been suspended in parts of the state.