Shops, bus torched in fresh Kasganj violence; 49 held

Miscreants damaged at least three shops and torched a few other commercial establishments on the second day of violence in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj city on Saturday, police said, after a young boy was killed in clashes following pelting of stones on a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate the Republic Day.

A bus was also set on fire in the latest flare-up in the city, where a curfew was imposed on Friday after the clashes.

A state government spokesperson said prohibitory orders still remain in effect in the city in western Uttar Pradesh, but did not specify whether the curfew had been lifted.

Meanwhile, 49 people have been arrested in connection with the conflict on Friday.

Fire brigade personnel were deployed to douse the fires.

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.

The fresh violence happened a day after a 16-year-old boy was killed and two others were injured in clashes in the city.

The clashes on Friday happened after stones were reportedly pelted on the motorcycle rally taken out by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad volunteers as part of celebrations on the 69th Republic Day.

While nine accused have been arrested on charges of murder and rioting, 39 have been arrested for disruption of law and order situation, which include those who torched buses and shops.

A Special Investigative Team has been formed to arrest the others accused in the violence.

"Till now, 49 people have been arrested in connection with Kasganj clash. Section 144 is still imposed in the state. While borders have been sealed too," R P Singh, Kasganj District Magistrate, said.

"Anti-social elements today tried to set on fire a small shop on the city's outskirts... Some of the anti-social elements have been taken into custody, while others were chased away," Additional DG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said.

"Our main job at this point of time is to ensure that along with normal law and order situation, brotherhood among communities also remain intact," Kumar told reporters.

He added the police was trying to make people 'understand communal bonhomie'.

"The situation is under control, and will remain so. Sufficient police personnel have been deployed."

Superintendent of Police, Kasganj, Sunil Kumar Singh, said: "Anti-social elements had set two shoe shops afire in Ghantghar market, and fire brigade was pressed into action.

"Apart from this one utensil shop was set afire by anti-social elements. A bus was also damaged by anti-social element, who set it afire. Fire brigade was called to douse the flames."

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 today 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.

On Friday, the police said a few unidentified miscreants had hurled stones at the motorcycle rally.

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

The victim's family was demanding the status of a martyr for the deceased.

With ANI inputs.

IMAGE: A shop set afire by miscreants in UP's Kasganj on Saturday. Photograph: ANI