Lucknow. The Bharat Bandh in protest against the Agneepath scheme did not have much effect except in sporadic incidents in Uttar Pradesh. Students protested at some places in western Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway was temporarily jammed due to the protest. Roadways and private transport services remained closed in Ghazipur.
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order Prashant Kumar said that strict action would be taken against those instigating the students. So far, 525 accused have been arrested while registering 46 FIRs for violent demonstrations. In this, action has been taken against 145 protesters under section 151.
A large number of youths gathered near Bhojpur on Delhi-Meerut Expressway after around 11.30 am on Monday and blocked the traffic of the expressway from both the sides. Suddenly there was a traffic jam for several kilometers. As soon as the information was received, it was decided to divert the route from the expressway administration. While returning the vehicles from the expressway, they were dropped from Bhojpur and sent to Ghaziabad via Modinagar.
The protesters were pacified and removed at 12 noon, shortly after which the movement on the expressway returned to normal. The police has given notices to a total of 1200 people. At the same time, the youths planning a violent demonstration in Khatauli of Muzaffarnagar have been arrested by the police. In the initial investigation, it has been found that their purpose was to make a big violent demonstration in Khatauli area.
Police conducted flag marches across the district including Tappal, Jattari of Aligarh and appealed to the people to maintain peace. At the same time, bulldozers were also seen during the flag march in Khair. The youth who are coaching in Sambhal have formed a WhatsApp group named Cheetah. There was a message to protest against this group. On this the youth of Badaun and Sambhal gathered at the railway station. Police and RPF personnel surrounded the station. 41 people were released after being taken into custody. There was peace in other districts.
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order Prashant Kumar said that the youth is being explained about this scheme by the government. The protesting students were instigated by anti-social elements and some political people, which has led to this violence. Strict action will be taken against such people.
On Monday, messages on the internet media calling for a Bharat Bandh against the Agneepath scheme went viral, for which no organization claimed responsibility. In view of this, 141 Company PAC and 10 Company Central Police Force were deployed in addition to Civil Police to maintain peace and order. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere. The effect of Bharat Bandh was not visible in UP.
The ADG said that cases have been registered against the perpetrators of violence under strict sections and arrests are being made on a large scale. Strict action will be taken against those who are playing with the future of the students. Recovery will be made from those who cause damage to public property.
With the help of Sainik Welfare Board and Ex-Servicemen, correct and detailed information will be provided to such protesting competitive students, so that the confusion spread among them can be removed. Listing various coaching operators, students are also being explained through them. At the same time, orders have been given to arrest some such coaching operators who are trying to instigate students by giving them misleading information regarding this scheme.