UP govt reins in anti-social elements in Bharat bandh

Section 144 clamped in Noida, 122 people arrested

A day after being caught napping, Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday launched a massive crackdown, arresting 122 people, including some trade union leaders, for allegedly creating law and order problems during Wednesday’s Bharat bandh in Noida.

Over 200 cases have been registered in this connection. Authorities clamped section 144 in Noida as a precautionary measure.

Flag march

Security forces staged a flag march in the areas where the bandh supporters had gone on rampage torching industrial units and vehicles. Additional director general of police, law and order, Arun Kumar said additional security personnel had been deployed in the town and police were patrolling the affected areas.

Some looted goods had been recovered from some of those arrested, he added.

Video footage

“We are trying to identify the culprits from the video footage of the violence,” Kumar said adding that the Goonda Act would also be slapped on the troublemongers.

Meanwhile, the bandh supporters again indulged in violence on the second day of the two-day strike.  Groups of bandh supporters were involved in stone pelting but were dispersed by the security personnel later.

Flare-up

Hundreds of bandh supporters had torched several factory complexes and dozens of vehicles, including some police vans, in Noida on Wednesday. Sources said a fire engine that had been sent to douse the flames was also set ablaze.

The bandh affected normal life in UP for the second consecutive day on Thursday as government buses remained off the roads, leaving commuters in the lurch.

Though educational institutions remained open, banks, post offices and insurance company offices remained closed.