India: 2 dead, 12 injured in Saharanpur clashes; Centre sends 600 paramilitary forces to Uttar Pradesh

Daily News and Analysis
Saturday, 26 July 2014 - 11:00pm IST Updated: Saturday, 26 July 2014 - 9:45pm IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA Webdesk

Violent clashes broke out on Saturday in Saharanpur between two communities over a land dispute in Saharanpur with the two sides indulging in brick batting and arson, leaving some persons injured and prompting authorities to impose curfew in the district. Two people lost their lives in the clash.

Latest on the Saharanpur incident

Saharanpur clash: Centre sends 600 paramilitary forces to Uttar Pradesh

Around 600 paramilitary force personnel have been sent to Uttar Pradesh by the Central government to maintain law and order situation in the state in the wake of violence in Saharanpur. Read more

All you want to know about the Saharanpur riots in Uttar Pradesh

Violent clashes broke out in Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh on Saturday over a land dispute as groups of Muslims and Sikhs clashed on the streets in broad daylight. Authorities imposed curfew in the region to bring the situation under control after two persons were killed and at least 12 others injured in the clashes between the two communities over a land dispute. The early morning violent clashes broke out around 5 a.m. Five policemen were reportedly injured as the two sides indulged in brick batting and arson. The mob also burnt shops and vehicles. People with swords ran after Sikh community while the Sikh groups indulged in stone pelting in protest as the city witnessed violence, a day after the last Friday of holy month of Ramadan. Read more

Rajnath Singh calls up Akhilesh Yadav; asks to ensure peace

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to ensure communal harmony in the state in the wake of violence in Saharanpur and offered all help to contain the situation.

Singh telephoned Yadav and expressed his concern over the violent clashes that broke out between two communities in the Western Uttar Pradesh town and asked the Chief Minister to take all possible steps to ensure peace in the state, particularly in Saharanpur, official sources said.

Rahul Gandhi calls for end to 'politics of hatred'

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for an end to the "politics of hatred" in the country as communal tension flared up in Uttar Pradesh while his party accused BJP of carrying out "pre-planned communal polarisation". "I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country. This politics of hatred must end. I appeal to every one to remain calm and refrain from fanning communal passions," Gandhi said in a statement.

What happened?

As curfew was imposed in three police station areas, two people died. At least 18 others, including five policemen, were injured during the clashes in Kutubshehr area of Saharanpur.

The casualties:

The communal conflagration also resulted in nearly two dozen shops and vehicles being gutted in the Saharanpur area. DIG Saharanpur N Ravindra said the clashes started over an old dispute over a piece of land caught in litigation which was lodged between two places of worship.

Reason for crisis:

On Saturday, some members of one community began constructing a boundary wall around the land and the members of second community opposed this. A verbal spat began and led to the two groups hurling stones at each other.

Development:

District police told media that they used force and even fired rubber bullets to control flare and tussle. Following the communal tension, district administration has imposed section 144 of the CrPC in Saharanpur area.

Even PAC and RAF have been deployed in the area to bring situation under control.

Aftermath:

The situation remained very tense in Moradabad — BJP has been demanding an FIR being lodged against Moradabad SSP Dharmveer Yadav.

BJP alleged that its senior leaders were either detained from reaching Kanth. BJP state unit chief Laxmikant Bajpayi had reached Kanth and met the district magistrate.

Akhilesh asks officials to monitor situation in Saharanpur

With tension prevailing in Saharanpur and Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday directed senior home department officials to strictly handle the situation in the two areas.

"A continuous monitoring of the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad is being done by senior police and government officials," Principal Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal told PTI.

"The CM has directed Principal Secretary (Home) to deal with the Saharanpur situation strictly. He has directed that there must be no laxity at any level and law and order must be maintained at any cost," he said.

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