Cop killed by stone-pelting mob in Ghazipur; second UP policeman to die in mob violence this month

india

Updated: Nov 04, 2019 15:11 IST

A police constable was killed and some other people injured in mob violence by Nishad Party workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district, barely 15 kilometres from the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally on Saturday. The rioters also pelted stones on vehicles of local BJP leaders and workers returning from the rally.

Police have arrested 13 people and detained 10 others for interrogation.

Taking serious note of the incident, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who himself was present in the rally, directed the district magistrate and superintendent of police to take strict action against the unruly elements and make immediate arrests. He condoled the death and announced Rs 40 lakh and an extraordinary pension for the constable’s wife, Rs 10 lakh for his parents, and a job for one of his dependents.

The deceased constable, as per the chief minister’s office, was identified as Surendra Vats, 45. He is the second policeman killed in mob violence this month after police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was shot dead in Bulandshahr.

#WATCH One constable dead & two locals from the area injured in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area, earlier today. #Ghazipur pic.twitter.com/FnviOzuRIU — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 29, 2018

UP director general of police OP Singh said the incident had no connection with the PM’s rally and the violence was a result of Nishad Party workers’ protest for release of their four workers arrested for blocking the road earlier in the morning. He said constable Vats was fatally hit by a stone on the head when the police force was trying to disperse the mob.

Police constable Surendra Vats, who was killed in mob violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district as he was returning from duty at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally there earlier in the day. ( HT )

Additional director general, Varanasi zone PV Ramasastry had been rushed to the spot with extra police force while inspector general , Varanasi range, Vijay Singh Meena was already camping in Ghazipur to examine the situation and ensure immediate arrest of the rioters

Meena said the incident happened at the Atwa turning under Nonhara police station when the protestors suddenly turned violent at around 5.30 pm.

He said the Nishad Party workers had blocked the road in the morning over some demand related to reservation, but they were immediately dispersed and four arrested for causing nuisance. However, later around 60-70 party workers, including a group of women, again gathered at the Atwa turning demanding immediate release of the arrested people.

He said the deceased constable was posted at Karimudeen police station of Ghazipur and was returning after his duty in the PM’s rally. Another sub-inspector accompanying him on motorcycle was also hit but remained unhurt as he was wearing a helmet. He said some other police personnel and passers-by were also injured in the incident.

Police were identifying people involved in inciting the mob through video footage, Meena added.