The Haryana police on Wednesday arrested a total of 31 Karni Sena supporters in connection with the protests against controversial Bollywood movie ‘Padmaavat’ under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including an attempt to murder. Of these, 18 were booked, including eight juveniles, for attacking a school bus and smashing its window panes a day ago. The bus carrying children of GD Goenka World School was attacked with stones, no one was said to be injured.
Images showed shattered panes lying all around inside the bus and children cowering in fear on the floor of bus while teachers accompanying them were trying to protect them. The children escaped to safety as the bus driver did not stop and kept on driving despite stones being hurled on the bus from all sides.
Five other protesters have been arrested who blocked traffic at the Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway in Gurugram and eight others were arrested under preventive measures. A case has been registered against them under the jurisdictions of four different police stations.
Those who were arrested have been identified as Dushyant, Rahul, Omkar, Pradeep Raghav, Parminder, Sumit Raghav, Anuj, Saurab, Kamal Raghav, Tarun and Kunal. The Haryana police have also detained Kunwar Surajpal Singh Ammu, the BJP’s former chief media coordinator for Haryana as a preventive measure.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (headquarters), Deepak Gahlawat said all the arrested miscreants were the supporters of Karni Sena. “We have not received any complaint from the school management and kids’ parents. Once they filed any complaint against the protesters’ actions will be taken as per the law,” the DCP said.
“Hunt is on to identify and arrest other goons who were involved in attacking the school bus carrying children. Two Haryana roadways buses and a truck was also vandalised by them. Investigation is going on and further action will be taken against them,” Gahlawat added.
Meanwhile, movie shows are running under heavy police presence in Gurugram on Thursday. The city has dozens of multiplexes and the movie shows were running in a peaceful manner.
Having learnt its lessons from Wednesday incidents, police beefed up security at sensitive junctions on Sohna Road, Delhi-Gurugram expressway and other state highways adjoining with the other districts.
Deputy Commissioner of police (DCPs) and the concerned Assistant Commissioner of police (ACPs) have been deputed on patrolling.
“The Sohna road has been divided between the three ACPs who will continue a vigil eye on the anti-social elements and the number of patrolling vehicles has been increased. We have deployed mobile patrolling van and an additional force with them to tackle unwanted situations.
“We have already deployed adequate police personnel in large numbers at all multiplexes as well as Malls. It (school bus attack) was unfortunate. Police reached in time and took necessary action,” Commissioner of Gurugram police, Sandeep Khirwar, said.
On Wednesday one school bus, two roadways bus and one centre and truck were destroyed by the protesters. A Haryana Roadways bus was also set ablaze and another vandalised in Bhondsi area of Gurugram district by a group of around 50-60 men to protest against the release of “Padmaavat”.
Following the attack, many schools in Gurugram decided to remain closed until January 29. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram VP Singh imposed section 144 in the entire district and the same will in effect till January 28. Magistrates have been deployed in the district with police force to maintain law and order in the Gurugram district.