MP Bharat Bandh violence a ‘ pre- planned plot’: Intel report

The violence witnessed in Gwalior- Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh during Bharat Bandh on April 2, in which eight people were killed, was a preplanned conspiracy by a "cartel" of some social organisations, politicians, businessmen and local lower rung district officials, intelligence sources said here on Saturday.

"Violence was carried out according to the plan scripted by the conspirators ' well in advance'. The rioters were provided training on the use of arms and cans 15 days before the bandh. Instructions were given through the social media sites to instigate the violence," sources quoting intelligence reports told this newspaper.

"Intelligence inputs coupled with revelations by the alleged rioters arrested in connection with the violent incidents have laid bare the conspiracy," a senior police officer disclosed.

"Some activists and social organisations were suspected to have been funded to fuel violence in their regions," inspector general of police ( intelligence) Makrand Deoskar told reporters here on Saturday.

According to the sources, some businessmen and other people had funded them.

Police were also probing the role of some lower rung district level officers in the conspiracy, the sources said.

"Even political leaders from outside the state were seen camping in the riothit areas to ' monitor the operation'," the sources disclosed.