Yogi carcade attacked, one killed in clashes

Exactly four days after Chief Minister Mayawati alerted the UP Police about possible moves to disturb religious harmony...

Exactly four days after Chief Minister Mayawati alerted the UP Police about possible moves to disturb religious harmony in the state before the next Lok Sabha elections, communal tension gripped eastern UP8217;s Azamgarh district following a clash between the supporters of Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath and residents of Azamgarh8217;s communally sensitive Takiya locality on Sunday afternoon.

While one person was killed, four persons were injured in the clashes. Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in the town after the incident.

The police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob which burnt a car passing by the area at the time. Two vehicles in Yogi8217;s carcade were also damaged.

Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal denied that the police had opened fire. He said the dead man was identified as Walliullah, a native of Mohammedabad in neighbouring Mau district. Azamgarh SSP V K Garg said the police had seized a country-made pistol and arrested 12 persons from the spot.

The trouble began when the carcade was passing through Takiya. The controversial MP, who runs an organisation called Hindu Yuva Vahini, was on his way to address a rally on terrorism at the DAV Degree College. 8220;Yogi8217;s supporters shouted a slogan, Azamgarh mein rehna hai to Yogi-Yogi kehna hai If you want to stay in Azamgarh, you will have to accept Yogi, which seems to have provoked some people,8221; a police source said.

Soon stones were thrown at the MP8217;s carcade. 8220;Due to stone-pelting, some vehicles in the rear of the carcade were trapped in Takiya. Then there was an exchange of fire,8221; a police source said. Soon, the mob set afire a vehicle and damaged two others. The police team which arrived at the spot, too, became the target of the angry locals.

Later, addressing the rally, Adityanath demanded that the SP and DM arrive at the spot and listen to him. After the public meeting, the district administration ensured safe passage for the MP.

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Senior officers, including IG Varanasi Pravin Singh, have been camping in the town after the incident. Five sections of the PAC have also been sent to Azamgarh. 8220;The situation is under control. Forces have been deployed at sensitive places,8221; the IG said.

In Gorakhpur, BJP MLA Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, considered close to Yogi, started a dharna in front of the DM8217;s office to protest against the attack. The MLA said the Hindu Yuva Vahini had called for a bandh in eastern UP on Monday. 8220;We want Z category security for Adityanath,8221; Agrawal said.