BJP MP held for violating prohibitory orders

Gorakhpur, Jan 28 (UNI) Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogi Aditya Nath alongwith his supporters was today arrested for violating section 144 of the CRPC, which was imposed in this district of Uttar Pradesh following a communal clash.

Curfew in Kotwali, Tiwaripur and Rajghat areas was imposed yesterday after a communal clash on Friday night and shoot-at-sight orders were issued against violators. Besides, section 144 (prohibitory orders) was imposed in other police station areas.

Talking to mediapersons, Addition Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amrish Chand Sharma said Mr Nath and his aides were arrested in Chauri Chaura area, when they were on their way to Gorakhpur from Kushinagar.

''No one would be allowed to play with the law and order in Gorakhpur, 'whosoever' he might be. Police is leaving no stone unturned to maintain peace. Anyone found disturbing peace in Gorakhpur would be booked under the National Security Act (NSA),'' Mr Sharma said.

Earlier, 50 people including MLA Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, MLC Dr Y D Singh, BJP leader Shiv Pratap Shukla were arrested this morning for violating the orders.

Irked over the incident, mob torched an Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) bus under Khorabhar police station area.

After around 1400 hours, curfew was relaxed for six hours as the situation, relaxed.

People have also been prohibited to carry arms even in the non-curfew bound areas.

Meanwhile, all educational institutes had been closed till January 30.

Yogi Nath has alleged ''the police is 'hand-in-glove' with the communal forces and relaxing curfew is a way of 'appeasing' the Muslims.'' On the call given by successor of Gorakhnath Peeth and Mr Nath all shops and colleges were closed here and in seven districts of Basti division.

Miscreants had opened fire on a 'baraat' procession on Friday night, in which over 24 persons were wounded in Ismailpur under Kotwali police station area.

Some people, trying to escape the shootout, entered a moharram procession nearby, leading to a clash between the two groups. The situation turned tense after an injured Raj Kumar Agrahari died at Gorakhpur Medical College.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the family members of the deceased.

UNI