UP DGP visits violence-hit districts, warns of action

Lucknow, Oct 8 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh today said stern action would be taken against anti-social elements trying to disturb communal harmony in the state.

Talking to newspersons after taking stock of the situation in violence-hit Shravasti and Bahraich districts, Mr Singh warned that the most severe action would be taken against the accused.

The DGP, however, accepted that had the police been on vigil, cases of violence would not have surfaced.

He directed the officials to identify the accused and charge them under the Gangster Act and NSA.

On October 5 in Bahraich, some mischief mongers had spread the rumour that a cow had been slaughtered at Shaikhaiya Pura locality.

Later a mob took out a procession to the market in Kotwali area.

Since, the market was choc-a-bloc with Eid shoppers, panic prevailed in the area, leading to a stampede, in which almost 25 people were wounded.

In another incident at Shravasti, a mob yesterday resorted to arson and set ablaze six huts and three shops, following a cow slaughter rumour that spread under Bhinga area.

A total of 18 people had been arrested in this regard.

UNI