Internet suspended in Saharanpur amid tensions over Gurjars’ rally

Security was heightened at Nakur town in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur on Monday after members of Gurjar community took out a rally in honour of ninth-century ruler of Gurjar-pratihara dynasty, Mihir Bhoj, who, the Rajputs claim belong to their community.

Amid simmering tension, internet services were suspended in the district till further orders, said Saharanpur SSP Vipin Tada. Police also sealed the borders of Saharanpur to prevent entry of leaders and members of both communities from neighbouring Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts.

Nakur town remained tense on Monday after members of the Gurjar community took out a yatra in Fandpuri and Ambeta areas. Police said no permission was granted for the rally as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were clamped in the district for the past few days.

SP, Saharanpur Rural, Sagar Jain said some people took out the yatra defying prohibitory orders. “We are identifying those who defied the order and action will be initiated against them,” he said, adding security has been beefed up in district.

The rally was opposed by the Rajput community who claim that Mihir Bhoj belonged to their community. Some members of the community staged a dharna in Saharanpur. Earlier, in 2021, a row over Samrat Mihir Bhoj erupted after CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated his statue at the Gurjar-dominated Dadri. Back then, members of Karni Sena had objected to describing the ruler as a Gurjar.

POLICE SEALED

THE BORDERS OF SAHARANPUR TO PREVENT ENTRY OF LEADERS FROM MUZAFFARNAGAR AND SHAMLI AREAS