Narrow escape for cop during anti-CAA protests in UP

Uttar Pradesh police constable had a narrow escape during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad. A bullet pierced his bulletproof vest and got stuck in his wallet.

Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh): A police constable in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad had a narrow escape from death on Saturday after a bullet, reportedly fired during a protest here, pierced through his bulletproof vest and got stuck in his wallet.

Constable Vijendra Kumar says that he feels like he has been granted a second life.

"I was on duty in the Nalband area when some of the protestors opened fire at us. The bullet pierced my bullet vest and got stuck in the wallet that was kept in the pocket of my jacket," Kumar said.

According to police, the law and order situation in the region is under control now.

So far, fifteen persons have died during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, in Uttar Pradesh. At least 263 police personnel were injured in the protests, of which 57 personnel have received firearm injuries.

State Inspector General (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar has said that 705 persons have been arrested in connection with the violent protests while 4,500 others were released after preventive detention.

Kumar said that a large number of illegal weapons were used in the violence during protests and a total of 405 bullet shells of the country-made pistol were recovered from protest sites.

Clashes also took place during protests in different districts of Uttar Pradesh including Bahraich, Bareilly, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Gorakhpur and Sambhal on Friday.