Uttar Pradesh CAA protests: Two bus torched, two vandalised in Sambhal

BAREILLY: Anti-citizenship act protesters led by Samajwadi Party leaders including MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq and district unit president Firoz Khan on Thursday targeted at least four UPSRTC buses setting two on fire while two others were vandalised near Chaudhary Saria locality in Sambhal district. Besides, the rioters also vandalised at least six police vehicles.
Superintendent of police Yamuna Prasad said that the protest was called by Samajwadi Party and most of the rioters were SP workers.

“We have arrested 15 people on charges of arson and rioting. Besides, 200 unidentified rioters have been booked,” he said.
Meanwhile, district magistrate AK Singh said that the internet services had been suspended again in the district for an indefinite period. Inspector general of Moradabad range Ramit Sharma also reached Sambhal to take stock of the situation.
On Tuesday, internet services in the district were stopped that were resumed on Wednesday.
DM said that section 144 was already in force in the district and administration had made it clear that nobody would be permitted to carry out any protest march and public meeting. Despite that, hundreds of youths and Samajwadi Party workers took to roads and entered from Chaudhary Sarai in the city.
Protesters were carrying tricolour and green flags in their hands.
Police force had already taken position by then barricading the road near Chaudhary Sarai but the protesters removed the barricades as cops were unable to control a huge mob.
The rioters first set two UPSRTC buses on fire and vandalised two more buses of Noida and Budaun depots that were coming from bus-stand. The passengers, including woman and children, had to run for cover and somehow managed to save their lives amid heavy stone pelting. Besides, a police van, two police SUVs and two private cars were also vandalised.
During the stone-pelting, two policemen sustain minor injuries. Media persons were also not spared and the protestors targeted some cameramen.
Seeing the situation going out of control, provincial armed constabulary (PAC) companies were pressed into action.
IG Sharma said that the rioters were being identified and sternest action would be initiated against them.