Padmaavat protests: Suraj Pal Amu arrested, say Gurugram Police

Gurugram: Having faced severe criticism for failing to check incidents of violent across the city this week against the release of Hindi film 'Padmaavat,' the Gurugram administration is now working hard to ensure there is no further breakdown in law and order.

To this end, Gurugram Police on Friday said they have arrested Suraj Pal Amu, general secretary of Shree Karni Sena for the anti-Padmaavat violence.

Amu was detained on Thursday for questioning and placed under arrest Friday morning on charges of breaching peace in the city. "He has been sent to a four-day judicial custody," Gurugram Police PRO Ravinder Kumar said.

"Suraj Pal Amu was detained on charges of apprehension of breach of peace and tranquillity of an area. He had also tried to meet his supporters at the MG road. He was detained from his residence at DLF area in view of the law and order situation," Kumar said.

An official statement by Gurugram Police said, "Seven cases have been registered so far with regards to Padmaavat agitation. We have arrested 24 miscreants involved in violent incidents which occurred at different places. All the accused have been sent to judicial custody. Besides, 14 people have been detained as preventive measure"

Meanwhile, police quashed rumours claiming that members of minority community were arrested for vandalising the GD Goenka school bus and setting ablaze a Haryana Roadways bus.

With the long weekend starting on Friday, heavy security arrangements were seen in most city multiplexes.

Sources said that over 2,500 policemen, along with Haryana special commandos, are providing security to 11 multiplexes that are screening Padmaavat.

The hype surrounding the film is resulting in it getting a good opening with occupancy rate being at 50 to 75 percent.

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma called the acts of violence "unfortunate," but refused to comment on the film being screened.

With law and order being a contentious issue in Haryana in recent times, ensuring that no incidents of violence take place has become a challenge for Gurugram Police.

The handling of the Pradyuman case, along with spike of heinous crimes committed in the city, has led citizens to question the efficiency and credibility of the police.

In the past, the city escaped the wrath of protests and agitations, including the Jat quota stir, and protests taken out by followers after the arrests of self-styled godmen like Ram Pal and Gurmeet Ram Rahim.