100 protesters arrested, 47 cases lodged, says Haryana DGP Sandhu
KARNAL/HISAR/FARIDABAD/GURGAON: A day after members of Dalit outfits went on rampage and indulged in arson, vandalism and loot across the state, police on Tuesday arrested as many as 100 protesters and booked more than 4,400 people, who were protesting against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
“Taking strict action against those involved in these incidents, 47 cases were registered and 100 persons were arrested,” director general of police (DGP) BS Sandhu said.
He added that 84 cops and eight persons from general public were injured and 24 government and 60 private vehicles were damaged on violence during SC protest.
In Kaithal only, around 2,500 protesters were named in cases ranging from rioting and attempt to murder to attacking a police post and blocking national highways. “They have been booked as per a police complaint under Sections 148-149, 332, 353, 307, 379B, 435, 459 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 8 of the National Highways Act and Section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act,” said Kaithal superintendent of police Astha Modi.
The police have also received about 25 private complaints where residents accused unidentified persons of damaging their properties.
As many as 40 cops and 10 protesters were injured in clashes between protesters and police on Monday.
13 AGITATORS ARRESTED IN Y’NAGAR
In Yamunanagar, the police booked around 150 protesters, 13 of whom have been arrested.
“13 people have already been arrested and efforts are on to nab others,” Yamunanagar SP Rajesh Kalia said. Karnal SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said in Karnal district, total five FIRs were registered at various police stations.
Around 12 policemen had sustained injuries after agitators hurled stones at them when they tried to clear the blockade on a highway the previous day.
22-YEAR-OLD HELD FOR CARRYING RIFLE
A 22-year-old man, Vishal of Kulveahri village, was arrested from Nilokheri town for carrying an illegal rifle and live cartridges during the protest. Meanwhile, an FIR was also registered by the Government Railway Police against unknown persons for blocking rail traffic in Karnal.
‘HISAR POLICE BOOKED INNOCENT YOUTHS’
As Hisar police arrested eight persons and booked more than 150 identified and over 800 unidentified protesters of different Dalit organisations on Tuesday, Suresh Kumar, a member of one such outfit said, “Not even a single youth from our community disturbed traffic or damaged any property. The police lathicharged us and booked innocent youths who had come to hold a peaceful protest.”
The police had lodged two FIRs at different police stations after SHO Lalit Kumar and constable Rajesh Kumar suffered serious injuries during clashes with protesters.
Police have also booked few
Dalit organisations’ chiefs and begun investigation.
14 HELD, OVER 250 BOOKED IN FARIDABAD
14 alleged protesters were nabbed and over 250 booked by Faridabad police under various IPC sections on Tuesday.
“We have arrested 13 people responsible for violence on Monday,” said the police spokesman. Those arrested were detained from areas under Kotwali and Central police station late on Monday. The railway police also arrested one Sonu, 30, from Saran area and registered cases against more than 200 people for damaging railway property, said Mohinder Singh, DSP railway police.
Similarly, Over 600 protesters were booked by Gurgaon police for allegedly blocking the DelhiGurgaon expressway and other roads in the city during the Monday protest. Police said two cases have been registered against the accused, one at Civil Lines police station in which names of four persons have been mentioned and over 500 are unidentified and around 60 to 70 persons at sector 40 police station.