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One killed in Azamgarh violence

Photo: PTI

Protesters on the rampage in Azamgarh district on Sunday.

LUCKNOW: One person was killed and half-a-dozen people were injured in violence and arson at Azamgarh in Eastern Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Heavy stone-throwing on Gorakhpur BJP MP Yogi Adityanath’s cavalcade in the minority-dominated Takiya area triggered the violence.

According to Additional Director-General (Law and Order and Crime) Brij Lal, the immediate cause for the provocation was slogans reportedly raised by the Yogi’s supporters. The MP was proceeding towards the DAV College ground in Azamgarh to address an anti-terrorism rally. Following the violence, the rally was cancelled and the Yogi was forced to return to Gorakhpur, Mr. Lal said.

He said Section 144 had been enforced in the Takiya area and other sensitive pockets of Azamgarh. Five additional companies of the PAC had been deployed.

Mr. Lal said the Gorakhpur MP’s cavalcade, comprising about 20 vehicles and 25 scooters and motorcycles, was passing through the Takiya area when it was subjected to stone-throwing and firing from the rooftops of the congested locality. He said three people — Gyanendra Mishra, Shiv Harsh Bharti and Nehal Ahmed — of Azamgarh were injured.

The Yogi escaped unhurt, Mr. Lal said.

He said the deceased, identified as Waliullah, was dropped at the District Hospital by a Toyota vehicle (UP 50 G3121). Waliullah was employed in a broilers’ shop in the Takiya locality.

Reports from Gorakhpur said the local Hindu Mahasabha MLA, Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, staged a dharna at the District Magistrate’s office. Reports said a call for Purvanchal bandh was given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for Monday. The police official said steps would be taken to maintain law and order.

The BJP condemned the attack on Yogi Adityanath. The party’s State vice-president Hridaya Narain Dixit demanded strict action against the culprits.

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