A police outpost was burnt and over 20 vehicles torched while several instances of stone pelting and clashes were reported on Tuesday from across Saharanpur, which has been witnessing caste-based violence since last Friday.
According to the Uttar Pradesh police, permission had been denied to Dalits to hold a ‘mahapanchayat’ on Tuesday in the Gandhi Park, demanding compensation and relief for those affected by an inter-caste clash last week.
Senior Superintendent of Police Subhash Chand Dubey said as the district administration had not permitted any such gathering, police acted against people who had gathered for the ’mahapanchayat’. This led to tension and a stampede-like situation, it is learnt.
As the news of the police action spread, there were several incidents of violence in the district, including some targeting policemen.
Several commuters were manhandled and their vehicles set on fire on the Malhipur road, it is learnt. Mediapersons covering the incidents were also beaten up and their vehicles damaged.
Police reinforcements, including the PAC, who rushed to the spot were also attacked and pelted with stones. A police ‘chowki’ was set ablaze while several police vehicles were damaged.
A garbage heap was set on fire on Chilkana road near Halalpur. On the Behat road, a bus was set on fire. Protesters also blocked Chakrota road near Nazirpura while a building was burnt down on the Malhipur road.
The situation in the district continued to be tense and there was heavy police deployment. Top police and State administration were monitoring the developments with fire tenders rushing across town to tackle the fires.
