Anti-CAA stir: Police post torched in Kanpur; death toll in UP violence rises to 15

18:11 December 21

Violence in Kanpur, SP leaders arrested

Anti-citizenship law protesters set Yatimkhana police post here on fire on Saturday and indulged in heavy brickbatting, leading to injury to some people, a senior official said.

Police had to lob tear gas shells and use canes to chase them away. Fire tenders were rushed to control the flame.

ADG (Kanpur) Prem Prakash said RAF has been called out along with 'Vajr' vehicles to control the situation.

Samajwadi Party MLA Amitabh Bajpai and former MLA and SP leader Kamlesh Tewari have been arrested as a precautionary measure and their vehicles have also been seized.

Officials said that crowds gathered in areas like Babupurva, Nai Sadak, Moolganj, Dalelpurva and Haleem College, and police in large numbers was deployed to keep a watch over the situation. 

17:04 December 21

15 dead, 263 cops injured since Dec 10: IG

15 people have died in the anti-CAA protests across Uttar Pradesh since December 10, IG (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar informed.

"705 people have been arrested and around 4,500 people were released after preventive detention," he said, adding that as many as 263 police personnel were injured in the violence, of which 57 personnel received fire arm injuries.

16:59 December 21

Cops attack Congress leader with lathis in Sultanpur

According to reports, an argument broke out between Congress leader Md Jafar and the police, amidst anti-CAA protests in Sultanpur. The copes were then seen attacking Jafar with their lathis, following which the Congress leader had to run to safety.

16:41 December 21

One dead in fresh violence in Rampur

Amid a Bandh call in Rampur on Saturday, around 400 to 500 protestors, including children in the age group of 12-18 years, gathered at some distance from the Eidgah in the city and stones were pelted at policemen, officials said. 

According to reports, one person died in the protests, while at least two others received injuries.

"Around a dozen others suffered minor injuries due to tear gas shelling, while over a dozen policemen also got hurt during stone pelting," Rampur DM Aunjaneya Singh informed.

He suspected involvement of some non-locals in the protest and said police did not open fire anywhere.

16:10 December 21

Death toll mounts to 11 in UP violence

At least 11 people, including an 8-year-old boy, have lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh as the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent in the state, officials said.

After Friday prayers, protesters clashed with police at several places in the state and hurled stones and torched vehicles, they said.

On Friday, four deaths were reported from Meerut district and two each in Kanpur and Bijnor. An 8-year-old boy was killed in a stampede in Varanasi when a violent mob was being chased by policemen. Besides, violence claimed a life each in Sambhal and Firozabad, the officials said.

16:06 December 21

Nine dead in UP, 218 arrested from Lucknow: DGP

Director General of the Uttar Pradesh Police, OP Singh said that at least nine people have died and around 218 people have been arrested from Lucknow in connection with anti-CAA protests that turned violent. 

"Wherever lawsuits have been lodged, our local administrations are arresting them. But we will not arrest any innocent person. Only after investigation, we'll arrest them," he said.

"We arrested around 218 people from Lucknow. And as per the last night's report, 9 people have died so far and the numbers could exceed and we are assessing on it," he added.

14:58 December 21

People continue to hold protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Kanpur. ADG Prem Prakash said," Situation is under control and additional forces have been deployed,today.40 people were arrested yesterday night. 2 casualties have happened and few injured are admitted to hospital".

14:49 December 21

Speaking on incidents of violence in the district yesterday, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bahraich Gaurav Grover said: "6 cases registered, 38 people have been detained. 100 people have been identified and named (in FIR), strict action will be taken against violent elements."

14:08 December 21

Four persons were injured after a wall collapsed near Khankha chowk during a protest in connection with the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

11:10 December 21

Amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday appealed to people to maintain peace and to not believe in any rumours. 

No one should take law into their hands, Adityanath said in a statement. The Chief Minister has also directed police to search for those who are misleading people regarding the Act and spreading rumours and causing violence. 

Adityanath also termed statements by Congress leaders and the actions by Samajwadi Party leaders as 'extremely unfortunate'.

10:27 December 21

More than 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, have lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh as the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent in the state, officials said on Saturday.

Four deaths were reported from Meerut district, while the boy lost his life in a stampede in Varanasi when a violent mob was being chased by police personnel, they said.

After Friday prayers, six people were killed as protesters clashed with the police at several places in the state. They hurled stones and torched vehicles, the officials said

There have been reports of firing on police personnel deployed to maintain law and order, they said.

Six policemen also received bullet injuries in various parts of the state, they said, adding the condition of one policeman continued to be critical.

Violence during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests has so far claimed lives in Bijnor, Sambhal, Firozabad, Kanpur, Varanasi and Meerut in the state.

00:01 December 21

Six dead in violence across UP

Six people were killed as anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests turned violent in about 20 districts of the state.

Director General of Police O P Singh, however, confirmed only five deaths. Singh said that two people lost their lives in Bijnor and one each in Meerut, Sambhal and Firozabad. But officials reported a death in Kanpur as well.

22:59 December 20

Schools, colleges to remain shut across UP tomorrow

All schools, colleges, and universities will remain shut across Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, the government said in a statement.

22:53 December 20

People came to Meerut from Delhi to incite violence: SSP

SSP Meerut Ajay Sahani informed that many people had come down to Meerut from Delhi to orchestrate the violence during the anti-CAA protests.

"We spoke to many locals, and it has now come to light that many people had come from Delhi and were inciting violence here," he said.

He added that a youth who was admitted with a bullet injury was among one such group that had come down to Meerut from Delhi.

Sahani said that the police is putting in all efforts to crack the case.

19:37 December 20

5 dead in violence across UP

Five people have been reported dead in the violence that ensued during the anti-CAA protests across Uttar Pradesh today, Director General of Police OP Singh confirmed.

Singh informed that two people lost their lives in Bijnor and one each in Meerut, Sambhal and Firozabad. 

The cause of death would be known after a post-mortem on the victims, officials said. 

Singh maintained that none of the deaths were due to police firing.

He further informed that 50 policemen were seriously hurt in the violence.

19:29 December 20

At least 8 people receive bullet injuries during protests in Kanpur

At least eight people received bullet injuries after miscreants reportedly fired at the police during the anti-CAA protests in Kanpur.

According to reports, the situation got tense after four vehicles were torched in the city and stones were pelted at the cops. The police then fired teargas shells at the protesters, following which some miscreants opened fire, in which at least eight people were injured.

The injured were rushed to the medical college where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Kanpur SSP Anant Dev Tiwari informed that 25 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence.

19:12 December 20

Man allegedly shot dead during protests in Meerut

According to reports a man was shot dead during anti-CAA protests in Meerut. Miscreants were allegedly firing at the police during the protests on the Meerut-Hapur road, when the man was killed. However, it is not yet clear whether the man died in the firing by miscreants or due to police firing.

Further details are awaited.

18:15 December 20

Vehicles set ablaze, stone-pelting reported in Muzaffarnagar

Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar after at least a dozen vehicles were set ablaze by miscreants during anti-CAA protests. Incidents of stone-pelting were also reported from several locations, following which cops resorted to lathi-charge. ADG of Meerut Zone, who himself came down to Muzaffarnagar, informed that the situation has now been brought under control.

17:42 December 20

At least six injured in Kanpur violence

According to reports, scores of protesters defied Section 144 as they came out on the streets to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act. Some miscreants reportedly started pelting stones, and numerous vehicles were set ablaze in various locations across the city. The police then lathi-charged the protesters and fired teargas shells at them. As of now, reports suggest that at least six people have been injured in the violence. They are undergoing treatment at the medical college.

17:24 December 20

Vehicles torched in Bijnor, Cops resort to lathi-charge

Police resorted to lathi-charge as the anti-CAA protests turned violent in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor. According to reports, some miscreants among the protesters set ablaze motorbikes and damaged other vehicles. The police then resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters.

17:08 December 20

Police fire tear gas shells to counter stone-pelting in Bulandshahr

The situation continues to remain tense in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, as many vehicles were reportedly torched. After some protesters reportedly pelted stones at the police, the cops resorted to tear-gas shelling.

16:47 December 20

Traffic movement affected in Saharanpur as protesters come out on streets

Traffic movement remained suspended in Saharanpur as thousands of protesters came out to oppose CAA-NRC at the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) junction in the town. Police was deployed in heavy numbers and situation has now reportedly been brought under control.

16:36 December 20

Cops resort to lathi-charge after stone-pelting in Hathras

Police resorted to lathi-charge after the situation got tense during an anti-CAA rally in Hathras' Sikandra Rao. According to reports, protesters took out a rally following Friday prayers, even as Section 144 remains imposed in the region. Some miscreants then reportedly pelted stones at the police, following which they had to resort to lathi-charge. Cops have now increased patrolling in the area to bring the situation under control.

16:10 December 20

Heavy stone-pelting during protests in Gorakhpur

Large demonstrations against the amended citizenship law were held in Gorakhpur after Friday prayers with protesters pelting stones at police personnel in at least one place. The cops were also seen retaliating.

Police fired teargas shells to disperse the violent protesters outside Anjuman Islamia in the Khoonipur area.

Tension prevailed in Ghantaghar, Shahmaroof, Nakhas, Khoonipur and Ismailpur areas, police said. 

16:04 December 20

Police lathi-charge protesters in Bahraich

Police resorted to lathi-charge on anti-CAA protesters in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, after stones were reportedly pelted on cops. Following Friday prayers, hundreds of demonstrators had reportedly gathered at Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower). According to reports, several policemen and protesters were injured in the meelee.

15:35 December 20

Situation tense in Bulandshahr, protests held in front of police station

Tense situation prevailed in Bulandshahr as scores of people protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act in front of the police station following Friday prayers, even as Section 144 remains imposed in the town.