A screen grab of the video in which Meerut SP Akhilesh Narayan was heard telling protesters to go to Pakistan. (Photo:India Today TV)

A senior police officer from the sensitive town of Meerut, where five died on December 20 during protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, has been caught on video asking protesters to leave India and "go to Pakistan".

In the video clip, Meerut Superintendent of Police (City) Akhilesh Narayan Singh is seen walking down a narrow lane in riot gear. At one point, Singh stops to talk to a group of men wearing skull caps. "Kahan jaoge? Is gali ko main theek karoonga [Where will you go? I will set this lane straight," the SP is heard telling the men in the video, which was shot in Meerut's Lisari Gate on December 20 -- when five persons were killed during anti-CAA protests.

"Jo kaali patti aur neeli patti baandh rahe ho unko keh do Pakistan chale jaayein [These black and blue badges you people are wearing, tell them to go to Pakistan]," says SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh.

"Desh main agar nahin rehne ka mann hai to chale jao bhaiya...aaoge yahan, gaoge kahin aur ka Yeh gali mujhe yaad ho gayi hai. Aur jab mujhe yaad ho jaata hai toh mein naani tak pahunch jaata hun [If you don't want to live here, go to Pakistan...you come here but sing praises of some other place. I am now familiar with this lane. And once I remember, I can even reach your grandmother]," the SP threatens the men in the video.

"Is gali main kuch ho gaya toh tum log hi keemat chukaoge [If something happens here, you will only have to pay the price]," the SP warns the men who only nod and tell the police officer that he is right.

The SP then turns around with other police officers, also in riot gear, but returns at least thrice to warn the men. He is even heard hurling abuses. "Ek ek ghar ke ek ek aadmi ko jail main bhar doonga main. [I will throw every man from every house in jail]," the SP says, and ends his rant by saying, "I will destroy them."

WHAT HAS MEERUT SP SAID

Speaking to India Today, SP city Akhilesh Singh said there was chaos in the area and when he reached the lane, he saw some anti-social elements raising slogans in praise of Pakistan.

"Some boys after seeing us raised pro-Pakistan slogans and started running. I told them if you raise such slogans and hate India, then go to Pakistan," the Meerut SP said. He added that the anti-social elements, believed to be in their early 20's, are being identified by the UP Police.

SP Akhilesh Singh's senior ADG Meerut Prashant Kumar, meanwhile, defended the officer and said, If the situation was normal, then the choice of words could have been better. That day, however, the situation was extremely volatile and our officers showed a lot of restraint. There was no firing by the police.

Stones were being hurled, anti-India and pro-neighbouring country slogans were being raised. The situation was tense. PFI pamphlets were being distributed. This was despite all appeals, including by religious leader, ADG Meerut Prashant Kumar has said.

WHAT HAPPENED IN MEERUT ON DEC 20

During the protests on December 20, protesters had torched vehicles and pelted stones at police, who used lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse mobs.

While five people died during the protests, 35 policemen were injured in the violence. The deceased have been identified as Mohsin, Aasif, Zahir, Aalim, all residents of Meerut, and Asif from Delhi.

To maintain law and order, internet services were shut in Meerut and social media continuously monitored for inflammatory posts.

Also read | CAA protests: Fury, grief grips Meerut after December 20 violence leaves 5 dead

Also read | Citizenship Act protests: 498 identified as offenders in UP, property to be seized

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