Normalcy returns to Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh files report to Centre

New Delhi: As the situation in violence-hit Kasganj district was "normal" on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Police said a key accused had been arrested while the state government told the Centre it was probing if the violence was pre-planned.

Inspector General of Police (Aligarh Range) Sanjeev Gupta said main accused Salim Javed had been arrested for the arson reported on the Republic Day.

Based on leads provided by Salim, the police said, it was looking for his accused brothers Naseem and Waseem, reportedly close to the opposition Samajwadi Party.

Police claimed an illegal firearm had been seized from Salim's house and that he had admitted to shooting at 22-year-old Chandan Gupta, who died later, leading to a spate of arson and mob violence in Kasganj.

Kasganj Superintendent of Police Piyush Srivastava said notices for attachment of properties of the accused arrested earlier for the violence have been pasted on their houses.

The stringent National Security Act would be slapped on the accused, the police said. It said investigators are trying to find other linkages through pictures of certain persons found in an album seized from Salim's house.

The police have arrested a few leaders and workers of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, after they were trying to enter the strife-torn areas to meet people affected by the violence.

As many as 145 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence so far.

A tense calm prevails in the town with residents on the edge due to apprehensions of more trouble.

Security deployment continues in the district, with extensive police patrolling going on. Besides police, units of anti-riot Rapid Action Force were deployed in sensitive locations in the district to check untoward incidents.

The Uttar Pradesh government sent a detailed report to the Home Ministry, saying "all facts are being ascertained to know if violence was pre-planned or not" in Kasganj.

A day earlier, the Ministry had sought a report on the violence and the current situation in the state, including on measures taken to ensure peace in the district.

In the report, the Uttar Pradesh Police said it "swung into action after the violence was reported and quickly brought it under control," according to Ministry officials.

It mentioned the arrests made and the circumstances leading to one death.

Following the young man's killing, three shops, two buses, and a car were burnt by a violent mob. The district administration said it had taken a slew of measures to contain lingering tension, with the state government removing the Superintendent of Police.

Also read: Prime accused in Kasganj violence, youth’s murder nabbed

With IANS inputs