Rajnath Singh called up the state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and assured all central assistance to tackle the crisis.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that trouble started over a land dispute after members of one community tried to construct a wall in their religious place at Kutubsher which faces a graveyard. The construction was challenged by another group and this led to clashes and arson — prompting the local authorities to impose curfew in the district.
Soon the situation went out of control after agitators went on a rampage and set several shops and government establishments on fire. They also ransacked the Kutubsher police station and Dhobighat police check-post.
Soon after, a large contingent of police force including the local police, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), RAF was deployed in the area and paramilitary forces were also called.
Speaking to Millennium Post over the telephone, commissioner of police, Saharanpur, Tanveer Zafar Ali said, ‘We have imposed curfew in the area but incidents of sporadic violence are being reported from some places. Tension prevails and we are monitoring the situation closely.’
It was learnt that a local trader identified as Harish Kochar was among those killed in the clashes. A policeman who tried to prevent the mob from ransacking a police station was shot at and was rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition is stated to be critical.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been invoked in the district and curfew has been clamped in six areas.
So far, more than 100 people were remanded in police custody and additional forces were deployed on Saturday evening.
The CM directed senior home department officials to bring the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad, which is also tense over the issue of removal of loudspeaker from a temple, under control. Principal secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said, ‘A continuous monitoring of the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad is being done by senior police and government officials.’
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has condemned the incident and said, ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country.’
Preliminary inquiry revealed that trouble started over a land dispute after members of one community tried to construct a wall in their religious place at Kutubsher which faces a graveyard. The construction was challenged by another group and this led to clashes and arson — prompting the local authorities to impose curfew in the district.
Soon the situation went out of control after agitators went on a rampage and set several shops and government establishments on fire. They also ransacked the Kutubsher police station and Dhobighat police check-post.
Soon after, a large contingent of police force including the local police, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), RAF was deployed in the area and paramilitary forces were also called.
Speaking to Millennium Post over the telephone, commissioner of police, Saharanpur, Tanveer Zafar Ali said, ‘We have imposed curfew in the area but incidents of sporadic violence are being reported from some places. Tension prevails and we are monitoring the situation closely.’
It was learnt that a local trader identified as Harish Kochar was among those killed in the clashes. A policeman who tried to prevent the mob from ransacking a police station was shot at and was rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition is stated to be critical.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been invoked in the district and curfew has been clamped in six areas.
So far, more than 100 people were remanded in police custody and additional forces were deployed on Saturday evening.
The CM directed senior home department officials to bring the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad, which is also tense over the issue of removal of loudspeaker from a temple, under control. Principal secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said, ‘A continuous monitoring of the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad is being done by senior police and government officials.’
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has condemned the incident and said, ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country.’