Nearly 21 people were reportedly killed in Mathura clash that broke out between the authorities and encroachers in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The list of deceased persons included a superintendent of Police and one policeman.
The violence broke out in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh during an evacuation drive when nearly 2000 protesters clashed with the policemen who came under the rulings of Allahabad High Court. The activist of a religious group ‘Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti had illegally occupied a 260-acre park valued crore of rupees belonging to government. In April under the direction of Allahabad High Court, Mathura district administration had issued a notice to the activist to vacate the land. The 48 hours ultimatum given by Mathura administrators had lapsed without any actions being taken. When the administrators along with the cops reached the site on Thursday they were met with the violent protesters. The activists reportedly used hand grenades and automatic guns against the policemen. The police tried to contain the violence using teargas and lathis. The entire area was smoke filled as several huts and houses caught fire due to grenades and explosions of LPG cylinders.
It was in this confrontation that twenty one people lost their lives, including a superintendent of police and two policemen. Javed Ahmed, the Director General of Uttar Pradesh State Police said that the attack was completely unprovoked. He informed the media that the police had resorted to tear gas shelling and lathi charge only when they were attacked by the activists with grenades and guns. “Country-made guns, rifles, pistols & cartridges recovered from spot, search op underway. It was an unlawful assembly and they had explosives including grenades and pistols which they used to fire upon the police. They fired at police which was absolutely unprovoked. Strict action will be taken,” said Chaudhary ADG (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Chaudhary said.
The Superintendent of Police (City) Mathura Mukul Dwivedi and station house officer (SHO) of the Farah police station Santosh Yadav were hit with the bullets during the violent confrontation. Although both of them were taken to nearby Niyati Hospital, Yadav was declared dead on the arrival and Dwivedi succumbed to his fatal injuries after a day.
According to the police reports, Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti and Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena activists, both of whom claim to be the true followers of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had been staging dharna at Jawahar Bagh over the last two-and-a-half years regarding a bunch of demands. Their demands included ‘the 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.’ And on their face book page they have posted: “”We demand all records relating to the ‘Ruler of the Nation’, law and order, and also the document of citizenship (which shows how we are citizens of the nation) to be made public.”
Besides, ordering an immediate probe regarding the violent clash, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also announced ‘an exgratia of Rs 20 lakh for the Station House Officer.’ Akhilesh Yadav has ordered the Director General of Police and the principal secretary home to reach the confrontation place and personally take the stock of the situation and submit a report. Manhunt has begun to arrested the protesters involved in violence.
Meanwhile, actor turned politician Hema Malini stirred hornet’s nest with her ‘insensitive’ tweets about her boating trip, on the way to her shooting of upcoming flick. The tweet came as an embarrassment to BJP whose party she belonged, besides representing Mathura constituency in Lok Sabha. Hema Malini seemed unaware of the violent clashes that took the lives of 21 people including a superintendent of police and one policeman in her constituency as she happily tweeted away sharing her happiness in shooting of her movie. She tweeted, “Shooting at Madh Island for Ek Thi Rani-a film based on the life of HH Vijaya Raje Scindia revived after many years. I play the title role. Hoping for an early release of this film.” “I was pleasantly surprised to see a vast change this time thks to Shri Gopal Shetty. The pathways leading to the boat in Versova are smooth,” she commented. “The journey to Madh Island used to be tedious those days. It used to be a 2 hr journey by road or by ferry the approach to which was horrible,” she added.
When she realized her mistake she hurriedly deleted her earlier tweets and updated fresh ones, expressing her grief. She tweeted, “I fervently appeal to the people of Mathura to remain calm and not get misguided by the violent elements.” She then went on to add, “Heartfelt condolences to the families of SP City Mukul Dwivedi and SHO Santhosh Kumar who laid down their lives in the line of duty.” “So so upset by this news from a place which is so dear to me. Will go there again if my presence is required. My heart goes out to the bereaved,” she said. Then she wrote, “I just came back from Mathura & got the news of the violence that has taken place there in which policemen have lost their lives.” BJP has already began the damage control. The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attacks saying, “I am anguished over the loss of lives in the incident in Mathura. May God give strength to the bereaved families.” “I have spoken to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pardesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have assured him of all possible help from the Centre,” he added.
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