By TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Violence erupted during the procession of Hazrat Ali’s shahadat on 21st Ramzan in old city of Lucknow on Wednesday. Situation turned worse in presence of police as people indulged in stone pelting, arson and firing.
Nearly 15 vehicles were damanged and one dozen shops were set afire. Nearly 35 people were injured in the incident but police is denying any serious injury. When the situation turned worse, police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), PAC resorted to lathi charge on several places to control the situation.
The procession was proceeding from Ustam Nagar, Saadatganj towards Karabala Talkatora. It is reported that when procession reached Bhadewa Telephone Exchange, few stones were hurled from a nearby lane. After that tension gripped between two sects. The stone pelting and firing even engulfed the adjoining areas. People came face to face at Billauchpura, Bulaki Adda, Nakhas, Patanala, Akbari Gate, Haiderganj and other lanes adjoining the area. In between some people torched three shops at Bhadewa. Similar incidents were reported from other parts also.
As the message about violence in old city was flashed, Director General of Police (DGP) Devraj Nagar, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arun Kumar, IG Subhash Chandra, DIG Navneet Sekera and several other senior officials personally reached the spot. Acting tough police and RAF chased away the miscreants at several places.
SSP Lucknow, J Ravindra Goud informed media that someone had thrown a stone when the procession was at Bazarkhala kotwali. It resulted in an altercation between two sects. Some people started throwing stones on a three storeyed house of tobacco merchant Farzan on grounds that stone was thrown from this place. The other sect claimed that stone was first thrown from the procession. Situation kept on deteriorating.
Women and Children were to be kept safe:
SSP stated that large number of women and children were in the procession and after stone pelting started it was the first responsibility to cover the women and children. Due to this police could not react immediately and chase away the miscreants. Police took the women and children in their cover for their safety.
Stone pelting from inside the house:
As per the police, stone pelting was done from inside the houses. The worst retaliation was from Billauchpura area. Miscreants also damaged a car near Bazarkhala Kotwali. Three youths sitting in the car ran for their life after it was damaged.
Tension:
From Bulaki Adda to Nehru Chowk, the whole stretch was deserted. Even people passing by were afraid. Police marched on the road while those visiting Tudiyaganj hospital were also looking afraid. Amidst this, small incident also took place at Shia College which was immediately controlled by the police.
Recovered:
Police recovered several empty shells from the road and lanes thus establishing that fire arms were also used in the violence.