Uttar Pradesh: Deputy SP suspended for laxity, 4 more, FIRs lodged over Pratapgarh clash

PRAYAGRAJ: The state government suspended deputy SP, Lalganj, Jagmohan for dereliction of duty after a clash took place between Congress and BJP supporters during the Gareeb Kalyan Mela organized at Sangipur development block auditorium in Pratapgarh district on Saturday and BJP MP was allegedly attacked by Congress workers.
Senior officials are conducting a probe as to how the clash took place at an event where police had been deployed and more cops are likely to face action.
Officials said a total five FIRs have been lodged over the assault and clash with police registering cases on four more complaints received on Sunday.
FIR under relevant sections including SC\ST act were lodged against senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, MLA Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ and others.
Meanwhile, traders of Sangramgarh Bazaar pulled down their shutters in protest against the FIR lodged against Tiwari and his daughter Mona who is MLA from Rampur Khas assembly seat.
Congress leaders, supporters and traders demanded an impartial probe into the incident.
Moreover, heavy police force was deployed at Lalganj, Sangipur and adjoining areas to defuse tension.
On Saturday, BJP MP Sangamlal Gupta was allegedly attacked by supporters of Congress leader Pramod Tiwari and his daughter Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ and the MP was somehow rescued by police and escorted to a safe place.
The MP later lodged an FIR against Tiwari, Mishra and 25 others named and 50 unnamed people under Sections 146, 147, 149, 307, 323, 336, 504, 506, and 427 of IPC and 7 CLA at the Lalganj police station.
In his complaint, the BJP MP alleged that several miscreants pelted stones at BJP workers and attacked him with sticks at the instance of Congress leaders.
“I had gone to attend the government function where scores of armed assailants were already present under a conspiracy. They first attacked SHO Sangipur and then assaulted me. The assailants also damaged my vehicle and attacked the party workers with me,” the MP said.
IG Prayagraj range, KP Singh told TOI, “Senior officials are probing the role of policemen deployed at the site to maintain the law and order and action would be initiated against those found guilty.”
“We are also probing the sequence of incidents,” he added.
Singh, who rushed to Sangipur after the incident, camped in Pratapgarh till Sunday morning and returned to Prayagraj when the officiating SP joined duty.