Kasganj violence: A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave a stern warning to hooligans and announced to ensure justice in the Kasganj violence case, the prime accused in the murder of a 22-year-old student Chandan Gupta, Salim has been nabbed by the Uttar Pradesh Police, ANI reported today. The police are also making attempts to catch hold of Salim’s brother Wasim and Nasim, who are absconding, as per TV reports. Earlier, Chandan was allegedly shot dead in an alleged communal violence that broke out following a clash between two groups over the shouting of slogans during a Tiranga Yatra on the Republic Day (January 26). A video of Chandan Gupta has also surfaced in which he is seen driving a bike with two others. In the video, several bikes can be seen with riders holding up the national flags. The men can be heard shouting “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki jai”.
The violence in Kasganj had escalated after the death of Chandan. Reportedly, the police have filed several FIRs related to the alleged communal clashes and subsequent violence and over 100 people have been arrested.
After the incident, the Facebook post of district magistrate of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly also created a row. “These days, a strange trend of visiting Muslim – dominated localities and shouting anti-Pakistani slogans has started. Are they Pakistanis? The same thing happened in Bareilly. Why don’t we raise anti-China slogans when the fact is that China is a bigger enemy than Pakistan,” 59-year-old DM Vikram Singh wrote, two days after the incident. Singh was also trolled on social media for his remarks. He later reportedly removed the post.
Meanwhile, parents of Chandan Gupta have demanded the status of a martyr for their son from the government. Chandan’s family pleaded the government to ensure justice for their son. Yogi Adityanath had announced to take strict action against the perpetrators of violence and those trying to fuel anarchy in the state.