Sunil Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kasganj district, who hinted a political conspiracy behind the recent communal violence, was transferred to police training school in Meerut by the Yogi Adityanath government, reports The Indian Express.

This move came hours after governor Ram Malik termed the violence as a ‘matter of shame’ and a ‘blot’ on the state.The SP had said to the media that there was a possibility of a political conspiracy, according to a report by Caravan Daily. Singh also pointed out that the provocative slogans raised by the participants of Tiranga Yatra had triggered the violence and the organisers had not taken permission from the authorities.

According to the report by Caravan Daily, the video clips of the incident have established the claims raised by the SP.

District Magistrate’s Comment

In his Facebook post, Bareilly district magistrate Raghvendra Vikram Singh asked why it has become a trend for some people to enter Muslim localities, raise anti-Pakistan slogans and create clashes. He wrote: “Ajab rivaz ban gaya hai. Muslim mohallo me jabrdasti julus le jao aur Pakistan murdabad ke nare lagao. Kyon bhai, ve Pakistani hain kya? Yehi yahan Bareilly mein Khailam mein hua tha. Fir patharav hua, mukadme likhe gaye. (A bizarre trend has started- Taking out processions by force through Muslim dominated places and raising anti-Pakistan slogans. Why? Are these people Pakistani? The same thing happened in Khailam village of Bareilly. Then stones were pelted, FIRs lodged).”

Governor’s remark

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik said that the violence in Kasganj did not show anyone in good light, and the incident became a blot for Uttar Pradesh, according to a report by The Indian Express. “I want the government to investigate the incident in detail. No such incident had taken place in Uttar Pradesh over the last eight-nine months. It’s a matter of shame for all of us that such an incident has occurred,” he said.

Background

The incident occurred during this year’s Republic Day celebrations on Friday when two groups pelted stones at each other during a ‘Tiranga Bike Rally’ organised by ABVP and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad). Reports indicated that they were asked by the locals to give way. But they continued the rally raising slogans and saying that everyone should chant ‘Vande Mataram’ if they want to live in India. This provocative action triggered violence. Chandan Gupta (22), a participant of the rally died during the clash. The Week reported that various Hindu organisations had alleged the riot was a well-planned conspiracy.

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Kasganj Violence: What Has Happened So Far