Friday violence: Bulldozers out in UP as CM Yogi Adityanath warns of ‘strictest’ action

After bouts of unrest rocked multiple cities in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has sprung into action with arrests and other measures. A total of 255 people had been arrested across several UP districts in connection with the violence that took place on Friday amid protests against controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned that “strictest” action will be taken against persons who try to spoil the atmosphere. The arrests included 68 in Prayagraj, 64 in Saharanpur, 50 in Hathras, 28 in Ambedkarnagar, 27 in Moradabad, 13 in Firozabad, three in Aligarh and two in Jalaun. A total of 13 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents across cities.

After CM Adityanath’s warning, his media advisor Mrityunjay Kumar tweeted a photograph of bulldozer action against one of the accused, captioning it, “Unruly elements remember, every Friday is followed by a Saturday.”

Municipal corporation bulldozer was deployed to raze illegal properties of two accused in the unrest in Saharanpur after they were identified via CCTV footage. Earlier in the week, a poster with photos of 40 rioters was released by police in Kanpur.

Authorities also took similar action against the “main accused” in the earlier Kanpur violence where a multi-story building allegedly owned by the main accused’s close aide was razed to the ground.

Meanwhile, UP government’s ‘bulldozer model’ was praised by Karnataka peer and party national general secretary C T Ravi saying that the party is ready to use the model against those who hamper peace.

Protests took place on Friday against remarks on Prophet Muhammad by now suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled Delhi unit media chief Naveen Kumar Jindal. The agitation turned violent in many cities in UP and some other states with incidents of stone pelting and arson reported. Several policemen and civilians suffered injuries with two people losing their lives in Jharkhand capital Ranchi.

Meanwhile, Nupur Sharma has been summoned by Mumbai Police to record her statement in the row on June 25.

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(With inputs from agencies)