4 held for UP violence, key suspect from Bajrang Dal
Bulandshahr (UP), Dec. 4: Police arrested four people on Tuesday and were hunting for a Bajrang Dal activist in connection with mob violence here that left an inspector and a passerby dead, as angry families demanded action amid criticism of the UP chief minister and suggestions of conspiracies.
Tears rolled down the eyes of family, friends and colleagues of slain Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh when the body was consigned to flames in a state funeral in the evening. After initial protests, the family of the other victim, 20-year-old Sumit Kumar, agreed to conduct his last rites.
Sumit Kumar was also named as one of the accused in the FIR registered early Tuesday morning. A mob of some 400 people, including rightwing activists, fought pitched battles with police on Monday in Siana area of Bulandshahr district, apparently after rightwing activists were angered by the discovery of cow carcasses strewn in a nearby jungle.
They set fire to dozens of vehicles, hurled stones and also fired at police who retaliated with gunfire. In the violence, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, the station house officer of Siana, and Sumit Kumar were killed.
The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the state government and the director general of police over the incident, officials said.
Police said Tuesday four persons were arrested, but the main suspect, Bajrang Dal district convenor Yogesh Raj, was on the
run. They said 27 people have been named in the FIR while cases have been lodged against 50-60 unidentified people. Of the 27, at least four are workers and functionaries of right-wing organisations such as Bajrang Dal, the officials said.
There was heavy deployment of security forces in and tension spiralled as angry families demanded justice for their kin.