Curfew was imposed in Kasganj city after one person was dead and three were injured in a communal clash on Friday noon. According to eyewitnesses, a group of youths took out a Republic Day rally in the Kotwali area of Kasganj during which a clash broke between two communities leading to firing and stone pelting. The group of bikers who took the flag rally allegedly raised slogans targeting a community, leading to further provocations and firing, local residents said. Several vehicles were damaged in the clash.
After the death a cadre belonging to the ABVP, the situation got more tense with a group of people attempting to set on fire a local mosque.
“Till now we have one confirmed casualty and three people who sustained bullet injuries, are under going treatment,” the Inspector General Sanjeev Gupta told the media.
Additional Director General of police ( law and order) Anand Kumar said that many vehicles were also damaged in the violence which was erupted due to sloganeering and led to stone pelting from both the sides.
“This was a sudden incident. But the situation is under control right now. The DM Kasgnaj RP Singh, SP Sunil Kumar Singh, heavy personnel from PAC and RAF have been deployed on the spot. Section 144 has been invoked in the area,” he said.
“Our priority is to ensure that no one is hurt and no property is damaged further in the affected areas. The trouble makers are being identified and strict action will be taken against them,” Mr. Kumar said.
"Chandan Abhishek who was hit by bullet was rushed to local hospital where he succumbed ot his injuries. Another injured Naushad has been referred to nearby town of Aligarh, said the DGP office PRO Rahul Shrivastava.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the local administration to ensure that the deceased family gets every possible help.
“Chief Minister has expressed heartfelt condolence over the death of one youth during the communal clash and has asked the administration to provide every possible help to the victim's family. He has appealed both the communities to maintain peace, and has also directed the local administration to deal very strictly with the rioters,” tweeted the Chief Minister's Office.
Considering the gravity of the situation the chief ministers office sent commissioner of Aligarh Subhash Chandra Sharma, IG Aligarh Sanjeev Gupta to Kasganj to take a stock of the situation. City limits have been cordoned off and no outsider is being allowed to enter the city.
