Situation in the strife-torn western districts of the state that witnessed large scale violence during a Bandh to protest Supreme Court’s directive on SC/ST Act a day before, remained peaceful on Tuesday.
At least two people, one each in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut were killed in the violence while 50 odd people were injured. The police claimed that over 500 people have been arrested for violence and around 200 were nabbed in Meerut alone.
However, sources claimed that the death toll in Monday’s violence rose to three with one more death being reported from Ferozabad.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, schools and colleges except those conducting Board examinations, remained shut in parts of west UP in the wake of the violent protests. Educational instiutions remained closed in Meerut, Agra, Hapur, Ghaziabad, Agra and Meerut on Tuesday.
Board exams of class 10 and 12 along with university exams would however be conducted as per scheduled. Internet services have been suspended in Meerut till 2pmon Tuesday as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumour.
ADG ( Law and Order) Anand Kumar said in Lucknow on Tuesday that the situation was fast becoming normal in the violence-hit areas.
“ Police was identifying people involved in the violence and strict action would be taken against them. Additional security forces have been rushed to sensitive areas while patrolling have been intensified,” he said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked district magistrates to take strict action against those involved in violence that resulted in loss of property and life. “Take action against those who unleashed terror on the streets in the name of opposition the Supreme Court order on SC/ST Act. These criminals should be punished,” the CM said in a written statement late on Monday night.
Yogi also asked DMs to evaluate the loss of private property torched during the protest and send it to the government. “The BJP is committed to the welfare of Dalits. The Centre has filed a review petition against the order. We will ensure that no injustice was done to Dalits,” he said.
On Monday, violence erupted in parts of the state with protesters attacking shops, engaging in plunder, arson, pelting stones at the police and even eve-teasing in Hapur, Agra, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Azamgarh, Saharanpur and other districts.
The maximum violence was reported from western UP, where protesters went on a rampage. More than 500 people, including a former BSP legislator, were arrested. Many government properties, vehicles were targeted and their window panes smashed. Some people fired at a police team in Meerut while a passenger bus was set on fire. In Meerut, over 500 Dalit youths targeted the media and broke their cameras as they were trying to photograph the protests.