Two former MLAs held for supporting Gujjars; 15 injured

Lucknow, May 30 (UNI) At least 15 people, including 11 policemen, sustained serious injuries when police opened fire on the Gujjar agitators after they went on a rampage and resorted to brick-batting in Ferozabad today.

The agitators uprooted about half a kilometre of railway track affecting the traffic for several hours, police said.

In an attempt to disperse the mob, police cane-charged them, but they resorted to brick batting, besides torching the police jeep and two motorcycles, resulting in serious injuries to many policemen.

Having no option left, police fired upon the protesters, in which one person reportedly died, however, official sources to have not confirmed the death.

City Magistrate also sustained wounds in the violence.

Meanwhile, police have arrested 24 persons, including two former MLAs.

According to official spokesperson, in Saharanpur, Gujjars blocked the rail route of Delhi-Dehradun Shatabdi Express near Nangal railway station for about an hour.

Over 150 people led by Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Rudra Sen haulted Saharanpur-Delhi passenger train and staged demonstration in Rampur town of Saharanpur district.

They also delayed passenger trains at Ghantaghar and Chunhedi railway station and blocked Delhi-Saharanpur rail route for several hours.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) workers handed over a memorandum to the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Nukkad Tehsil of the district.

In Jyotiba Phule Nagar, protesters burnt the effigy of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and blocked the road disrupting traffic for several hours, official sources said.

In Meerut, people blocked the Harpur-Meerut road and burnt Vasundhara Raje in effigy protesting alleged police atrocities against Gujjars.

Protesters also waylaid the Delhi-Lucknow Guwahati Express and staged demonstration creating problem for passengers.

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