UP govt submits report to Centre on Kasganj violence: Top developments

A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned of stringent action against those behind the communal clashes in Kasganj, security personnel mounted their patrolling in sensitive areas to instill confidence among people shaken by the recent violence.

Tension still prevailed in a few pockets of the western Uttar Pradesh town. Life, however, appeared to be returning to normal.

UP govt submits report to Centre

The Uttar Pradesh government has sent a report to the Centre giving details of the communal violence in Kasganj, where one person was killed and two others were injured, and the steps taken so far, an official said today.

The state government's report contains details about the arrests made by the UP Police and circumstances leading to the death of the lone victim Chandan Gupta.

The government conveyed to the Union home ministry that the police are investigating the case and all facts are being ascertained to know if the violence was pre-planned.

Congress team stopped on way to Kasganj

Authorities stopped a Congress delegation in Mirhachi area in Etah on the border of Kasganj district. They denied permission to the delegation from entering the troubled areas, citing law and order issues, official sources said.

District Magistrate, Kasganj, R P Singh had refused to give permission to the Congress delegation sensing that their visit to the troubled areas might create additional problems.

Prime accused in murder of Chandan Gupta held

Police arrested on Wednesday the prime accused in the murder of 23-year-old Abhishek Gupta alias Chandan during communal clashes on Republic Day in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj town.

Uttar Pradesh Police identified the accused as Saleem Javed. Police said Saleem, his two brothers - identified only by their first names Waseem and Naseem - and 17 others have been charged with murder and under other sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Video goes viral

A video has now surfaced which shows Hindu youths marching towards a Muslim-dominated area in Kasganj on the morning of January 26 carrying guns. Some of them then fire several rounds. The video, shot from the roof of the local tehsil office, also shows many in the group holding clubs and sticks.

In the video, gunshots can be heard clearly. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior IPS officer said, "This was the very point where Chandan Gupta, 21, was shot dead." Incidentally, police have arrested one Waseem and five others for the crime and charged them with murder.

Bareilly DM takes down Facebook post

After being trolled, the Bareilly district magistrate, Raghvendra Vikram took down his Facebook post in which had questioned the need to raise 'anti-Pakistan' slogans in Muslim dominated areas.

In a fresh post on Tuesday afternoon, the DM wrote on Facebook: "My post was in the backdrop of the law and order situation which we had to face during the kanwar yatra last year. I had hoped there would be academic discussions (around it), but unfortunately it had taken a different angle. Extremely sad."

Following the communal violence at Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh, the district magistrate had questioned the need to raise anti-Pakistan slogans in Muslim localities and then create a ruckus.

In violence that followed, one man was shot dead and two seriously injured. Rampaging mobs had then set several vehicles, shops and houses on fire. Some places of worship, too, were targeted.

As many as 118 people have been arrested in connection with the violence while security forces are maintaining a tight vigil.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)