According to a senior police official, clashes broke out in Pared, Nai Sadak and Yateemkhana areas of Kanpur.
Kanpur: Hundreds of people from a particular community clashed with police and general public in Kanpur after a Muslim organization called to shut down shops at the Parade Market, one of the biggest wholesale markets in the city over the alleged comments made by the BJP leader Nupur Sharma about Prophet Mohammed in debate telecasted on a national television.
Kanpur police has reportedly arrested 18 of them after violence. The two groups pelted stones at one another and at the police. The violence after Friday prayers as members of two communities indulged in scuffle over attempts to shut shops in protest against ‘insulting’ comments on Prophet Mohammed. Police has imposed Gangster Act against the mob responsible for creating law & order situation in Kanpur.
According to a senior police official, clashes broke out in Pared, Nai Sadak and Yateemkhana areas of Kanpur.
Many have been injured in stone pelting. The police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. A senior police official said that an investigation has been launched into the matter and CCTV footages are being scanned to identify the culprits.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said “Those involved in the violence are being identified with help of video clips of the incident,”
“The accused and the conspirators will be booked under Gangster Act and their properties will be seized or demolished,” warned the officer.“Officials have been asked to keep a round the clock vigil. The UP government will not allow law and order to be disturbed in any situation,” Kumar said.
Kanpur police commissioner Vijay Singh Meena said two people have been injured in the violent episode. “Suddenly, around 50-100 people came and started raising slogans, which was opposed by the other side. Then there was stone pelting. The police force controlled the situation,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, in a tweet, said, “On the day when the President of the country, respected Prime Minister, Madam Governor, Chief Minister are near Kanpur, the industrialists of the country are in the capital of the state. The terror of stone pelters in Kanpur city on that day is not a well-planned conspiracy, then what is? Not a single criminal will be spared!”
In another tweet, Maurya said, “It is an honor to offer prayers of “Juma”, but no one is allowed to perform “crime” in UP. It is better to be a participant in the development journey of UP than to be misled by opportunistic parties, it will be better for everyone.”
Reacting over the incident, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, “The BJP leader should be arrested for the unrest in Kanpur, due to the provocative statement given by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma due to the failure of police and intelligence, despite being in the city of Excellency President, Prime Minister and Chief Minister. We appeal to all to maintain peace.”
