Mob attacks Chief Justice's convoy; CJ safe

Barabanki, Aug 19 (UNI) In a major embarrassment to the Uttar Pradesh government, an agitated mob attacked the vehicle of the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court in the district today.

Chief Justice A N Roy had to abandon his Varanasi-bound journey and return to Lucknow after his car was pelted with stones. Justice Roy is however, safe.

Meanwhile, the CJ has sought report from the state administration on the incident, while an intensive probe was being conducted by the UP government, official sources told UNI here.

The incident took place when the agitation by locals in Maidipur under Loni Katra police station area of Barabanki turned voilent.

Police had to lathicharge the agitators, who indulged in violence, in which several officials were injured and government vehicles set afire.

Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) Asutosh Rai, Tahsildar Nalini Kant, Station Officer of Haidergarh, Barabanki and about 50 policemen sustained injuries in the incident.

Local residents were protesting the arrest of local BJP leader Prahalad Jaiswal. The protest dharna suddenly turned voilent and the agitators indulged in heavy stone pelting on the cops.

Police force from Gosaiganj police station on Lucknow-Barabanki border had been rushed to the spot to augment the existing police arrangement.

Justice Roy, whose vehicle happened to pass by, was trapped in the melee.

Senior police and administrative officers had rushed to the spot and were supervising the situation, which has officially been announced as 'tense'.

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