Mathura violence: CM Akhilesh Yadav admits ‘some lapses’, political slugfest begins
Fourteen people including two policemen were killed and a dozen others were injured when police in Mathura tried to evict around 2500 encroachers from a park here.
Mathura: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today admitted that there were "some lapses" on the part of administration and intelligence network that led to the Mathura incident that left 24 people dead and several other injured.
"There were some lapses. Police should have gone with full preparation and after holding talks, but there was no information that they would be having so much (arms and ammunition," Akhilesh told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Barabanki.
He said DGP, ADG and Principal Secretary (Home) were camping there to restore normalcy.
Akhilesh said the so called 'satyagrahis' were encroaching upon government land and several rounds of talks were held with them, but they did not vacate the place.
He said an inquiry was being conducted by Agra Divisional commissioner and warned that those found guilty would not be spared.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs also expressed disappointment over lapses. “This is a cause for concern; there has been a major lapse. We will see the report when it comes to us,” Rijiju said.
CM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for City SP Mathura Mukul Dwivedi and Station Officer of Farah Police station Santosh Yadav, who were killed yesterday in violence at Mathura’s Jawahar Park.
Yadav also instructed Principal Secretary Home and the DGP to personally inspect the Mathura incident site at the earliest and take stock of the situation.
The Chief Minister promised that strict action will be taken against the perpetrators in the incident.
“UP Govt will ensure the strictest action under law against the perpetrators in the Mathura incident. Speedy prosecution of the accused,” the CM said.
As many as 22 protesters died in violence during an anti-encroachment drive yesterday. Violence broke out after police rushed to evict the activists of Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena (SBSS).
"23 policemen are in the hospital being treated for their injuries. They were harmed brutally," UP DGP Javed Ahmed said, adding that 124 arrests have been made till now.
“Two police personnel, 12 encroachers died in yesterday's clash. Encroachers attacked and fired upon police party in which one SHO and the SP City were killed,” ADG (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Chaudhary said.
Home Minister reviews situation, assures help
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today morning reviewed the situation and assured the state government of all possible help from the Centre.
"Spoke to UP CM Shri Akhilesh Yadav and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have also assured him of all possible help from the Centre," Singh tweeted.
UP Governor Ram Naik also spoke to Yadav and said that culprits must be brought to the book.
BSP, BJP, Congress attack Akhilesh Yadav govt
Meanwhile, a political blame game has begun in the state with opposition BSP demanding resignation of Akhilesh Yadav.
“This is very unfortunate. Violence in Mathura is the outcome of deteriorated law and order satiation. The Uttar Pradesh government is responsible for this and the Chief Minister should resign. Also a thorough probe must be ordered,” she said.
Expressing grave concern over the incident, the Congress party questioned the ignorance of the local police for not being aware about the ground reality.
“3,000 people were illegally occupying this Jawahar Garden for last two years. And when the police tried to vacate them, they opened fire. It is a matter of great concern as to how people had arms and ammunitions and how it was used against the police. This speaks volumes about the law and order situation in UP. It shows how ignorant the local police was about these people, who were living in this garden," Congress spokesperson Shobha Oja said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also castigated the violent clashes between the police and illegal occupants and slammed the Chief Minister for not being able to maintain law and order situation in the state.
“Samajwadi government in the state has failed to give good governance and that it should be prosecuted in the regard. Who gave the permission to make another Jallianwala Bagh like incident. Akhilesh Yadav has totally failed to govern Uttar Pradesh. He has no strict laws to avoid such incidents from taking place," BJP leader Prabhat Jha said.
"Law and order situation in the state has collapsed. Such Incidents taking place in the land of Lord Krishna is condemnable. I believe Uttar Pradesh government should be prosecuted," Jha added.
City magistrate Ram Araj Yadav was also injured in the clash that lasted for almost four hours. Police said that two bullets hit Santosh Yadav, who was declared dead on arrival by doctors at Niyati Hospital. SP (City) Mukul Dwivedi, who was placed on ventilator support, succumbed to bullet injuries later.
According to reports, senior district officials, accompanied by a large number of policemen, reached the spot at around 4.30 PM hours after the Allahabad High Court rejected SBSS's petition seeking continuation of the dharna. The court also imposed Rs 50,000 fine on the SBSS’s activists as they failed to comply with the earlier orders of the district administration to vacate the government property.
In retaliation, the encroachers opened fire at the police party and both Santosh and Dwivedi suffered bullet injuries on their heads. The encroachers also resorted to widespread arson, setting police and other government vehicles and property afire.
Huge cache of arms recovered during search op
“Country-made guns, rifles, pistols & cartridges recovered from spot, search operation underway. It was an unlawful assembly, they had explosives including grenades and pistols, rifles which they used to fire upon police,” the ADG (Law and Order) said.
The encroachers, who described themselves as "Satyagrahis", had occupied the park in the Jawahar Bagh area for over two years.
Reports say that the police had failed to evict them earlier despite a court issuing orders to do so. The 260-acre park is valued in crores of rupees.
“Many attempts were made to evacuate the illegally occupied area, notices were sent to encroachers, announcements were made,” Daljeet Singh Chaudhary said.
The encroachers are demanding cancellation of election of President and Prime Minister of India, replacement of existing currency with 'Azad Hind Fauj' currency, sale of diesel at the rate of 60 litres for one Rupee and petrol at the rate of 40 litres for one Rupee.