‘Fringe’ attacks bus in Noida, theatres get heavy security cover
PADMAAVAT Group of men attacks staterun bus with sticks, stones
NOIDA/GHAZIABAD : A state transport corporation bus was vandalised by a group of 7-8 men in Barola village as tension prevailed surrounding the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial movie, Padmaavat.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made, specially around malls, multiplexes and cinemas, to prevent violence.
“A UPSRTC bus headed towards Sector 37, carrying dozens of passengers, was attacked at the traffic signal adjacent to Radha Swami park in Barola village by a group of seven to eight men. They broke the window panes and glasses of the bus with sticks and stones. Nobody was reported to be injured and the perpetrators fled the scene quickly. A case has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC against unknown men,” said Pankaj Pant, station house officer, Sector 49 police station.
The police, however, said they were yet to ascertain if the men were associated with the Karni Sena. “Prima facie, it appears as an attack by fringe elements. We are probing all angles,” said AK Singh, superintendent of police (city).
The Rajput Karni Sena and several other groups are protesting against the release of the Deepika Padukone-starrer, claiming it has shown the community in poor light and has ‘distorted history’.
The Sena has allegedly perpetrated several incidents of vandalism and hooliganism across the country in their protest against the movie.
Hundreds of Karni Sena men had attacked the Delhi-noidaDelhi freeway toll booths and broken the computer and other equipment on Tuesday. The police had booked 200 unknown persons for vandalism after checking the CCTV footage.
“We have arrested 16 men in connection with the vandalism at DND toll booth,” said AK Singh.
Police have also deployed officers of the Local Intelligence Unit at the malls who will be watching the movie along with the people.
“Our men, in plain clothes, will watch the movie in theatres tomorrow. They will be providing inputs on anti-social activities,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, in Ghaziabad, the police were seen inspecting malls, multiplexes and bus stations on Wednesday to ensure peace ahead of the movie’s release.
“There 26 multiplexes which will screen Padmaavat on Thursday. Police will be deployed at all these places. We have not made any preventive arrests but our officers from Local Intelligence Unit will keep an eye on the people. We have made adequate security arrangements,” said Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (city), Ghaziabad.