UP govt suspends senior officials
SAHARANPUR/LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday withdrew internet services in Saharanpur and suspended the district magistrate and police chief as it grappled to contain caste clashes that have killed two people and injured scores since May 5.
Two men were shot at in different places during the day and another person was assaulted by unidentified people but police said it was not clear if the incidents were linked to the clashes between Dalits and upper-caste Thakurs in the area, around 175 km from Delhi.
Officials said in Lucknow, internet and short messaging services (SMS) were suspended indefinitely to check rumourmongering and provocative posts through social media and mobile phones. The ban will not apply to police and administration officers.
The violence is being seen as the first law and order challenge for Yogi Adityanath since the BJP came to power in March, especially in western UP where caste and communal divide runs deep. The clashes started over a rally to commemorate 16th century Rajput king Maharana Pratap. Thakurs allegedly torched scores of Dalit houses in Shabeerpur village near Saharanpur. Days later, angry Dalits damaged several houses and vehicles of Thakurs.
Officials said the chief minister ordered suspension of district magistrate NP Singh and senior superintendent of police SC Dubey for their failure to contain the clashes.
PK Pandey was appointed as the new DM, Bablu Kumar will take charge as the district police chief.