Kasganj, January 28: After 48 hours of violence, normalcy returned to Kasganj on Sunday afternoon where tension had prevailed since Republic Day. Political leaders, traders, local residents, local administration and police officials carried out a peace meeting on Sunday afternoon after which situation came under control. Over 112 people are arrested by the police. (Kasganj Violence: Police Recover Crude Bomb in Raid at Residence of an Accused; UP DGP Says Situation Normal)
The meeting, headed by BJP Sadar MLA Devendra Singh Rajput, BJP district president Purendar Singh Solanki, former Samajwadi party MLA Hasrat Ullah Sherwani, Aligarh divisional commissioner Subhash Chandra Sharma, ADG Agra zone Ajay Anand former Kasganj Nagar Palika chairperson Chaudhary Nural Hasan and traders’ leader Amit Paltani along with 40 other local residents.
“It was a very unfortunate incident.This violence should not have happened in first place. But now, we will help the district administration in restoring peace,” Solanki said to Times of India.
Locals say that Kasganj has always been a peaceful place and they are confident to build up the relationship of brotherhood again.
“On the morning of Republic Day, a group of youths attempted to instigate a particular community by hurling verbal abuse, while they were hoisting national flag. But now police have arrested them to reinstate normalcy in the area,” TOI quoted Sherwani as saying.
The traders are also requested to open the market so that people can buy necessary groceries and a confidence is a build-up again, a local leader said.
“We have assured the local residents to provide every possible assistance to reinstate normalcy in the city,” Aligarh divisional commissioner said.
On Sunday afternoon, family members of Chandan Gupta expressed their wish to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to demand that their son be declared a martyr.
“We want a fair probe and all the accused who killed Chandan arrested,” Gupta’s father said.
“Police are investigating the matter and the demand made by the family members of Chandan Gupta has also sent to CM’s office,” the Aligarh divisional commissioner said.
On Sunday morning, one car was set ablaze near Nadraigate police outpost, two street side shops were burnt at Bakner village of Nadraigate area and a shop was also burnt down on Amapur Road near Awas Vikas Colony. All these incidents occurred on the outskirts of Kasganj city.
“The situation was under complete control and drones were used to conduct aerial surveillance. Over 60 men have been arrested by Saturday night,” DGP OP Singh said.
“People who set private properties on fire have been identified and a manhunt has been launched to nab them. It was a deliberate attempt to disturb the peace and tranquillity by a group,” police said.
Police forces are deployed on border areas to ensure no accused involved in violence escapes from the district.
“Total 112 men have been arrested so far and a country-made pistol and a crude bomb was recovered from the home of accused,” Inspector General of police Aligarh, Sanjeev Gupta said.
The police said that out of 20 named accused in the murder of Chandan Gupta, three were from the same family, and are yet to be arrested.
According to a witness, around 200 youths on motor-bikes were using abusive language and were emphasising to hoist saffron flag along with tri-colour to prove the nationalism spirit. This lead to a heated argument which later turned violent. A video of the incident was also recorded on a mobile phone.