Two cops removed over clash between SP, BJP workers

Lucknow, Jun 22: An SHO and a Sub Inspector were on Saturday removed by the

police after

alleged that they remained mute spectator to the

that broke out between workers of the saffron party and ruling

during a protest over rail fare hike announced by the Centre.

"Station House Officer Hazratganj Ashok Kumar Verma and incharge of Darulshafa police outpost have been removed till an inquiry is completed. The inquiry will be conducted by the officials of the level of additional district magistrate and additional SP," a district police spokesman said.

The clash broke out between the two groups while the SP workers were protesting in front of the Vidhan Bhawan, located opposite BJP office, this evening. They burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two groups indulged in heavy stone pelting in which several vehicles were also damaged. While BJP workers alleged that SP workers tore down posters and banners, and pelted bricks on the party office, the latter charged that members of the saffron party launched an attack on them and indulged in brick batting.

Later, BJP workers led by state president Bajpai staged a dharna in front of SSP Praveen Kumar's residence, demanding swift action against the attackers. They also alleged that "while the SP workers went on rampage police remained a mute spectator."

The dharna continued for more than two hours and was lifted only after senior officials, including district magistrate Rajshekhar and DIG Navneet Sikera, assured that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.

BJP said that it has been assured that video footage of the incident would be taken into consideration during the probe.

"We have been assured that the inquiry will be completed in three days, but we demand that it should free and fair as workers of the ruling party are involved in it," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

The Centre had yesterday hiked rail passenger fares by 14.2 per cent and freight fares by 6.5 per cent, in the first tough steps taken by the Narendra Modi government to revive the sluggish economy.

PTI