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Mathura Clashes: Death Toll Climbs To 24, Rajnath Singh Speaks To UP Chief Minister

Death Toll In Mathura Clashes Climbs To 24, Rajnath Singh Speaks To Akhilesh Yadav
ANI/Twitter

MATHURA -- 24 people, including an SP and an SHO, have been killed in the massive clash between police and encroachers that broke out here yesterday even as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered an inquiry.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke to Yadav, expressed anguish over the loss of lives and assured all necessary help to the state government.

19 people have been killed apart from SP City Mukul Dwivedi and SHO, Farah, Santosh Yadav, Pradeep Bhatnagar, Commissioner, Agra Division, told PTI today.

Pics of #Mathura SP Mukul Dwivedi who was killed in firing during police-encroachers clash in Jawahar Bagh yesterday pic.twitter.com/aYBF4BSkTc

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 3, 2016

A magisterial probe has also been ordered, he said.

Latest visuals from Jawahar Bagh in #Mathura where 2 policemen were killed during anti-encroachment drive yesterday pic.twitter.com/u1xs8SX63X

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 3, 2016

The violence had erupted when police were trying to evict illegal occupants, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi, from Jawahar Bagh yesterday on the directions of the Allahabad High Court.

In Lucknow, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered a probe by the divisional commissioner of Mathura, an official spokesperson said.

DGP Javed Ahmed and Principal Secretary (Home) Debashish Panda have rushed here.

The Union Home Minister said he has reviewed the situation in Mathura.

Spoke to UP CM Shri @yadavakhilesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have also assured him of all possible help from the Centre.

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) June 3, 2016

Anguished over the loss of lives in the incidents of violence in Mathura. May God gives strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) June 3, 2016

Police said some vehicles bearing Madhya Pradesh registration number have been found.

"The wrath of people against encroachers was such that when they were retreating, they were severely beaten by the public," an official said.

The activists used not only hand grenades but also opened fire from automatic weapons after taking position on tree tops, DM Rajesh Kumar had said.

The area was filled with smoke following explosions from hand grenades and LPG cylinders and several huts caught fire, he said.

Was an unlawful assembly, they had explosives including grenades&pistols, rifles which they used to fire upon police-ADG,Law&Order #Mathura

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 3, 2016

Over two years ago, activists of splinter group of Baba Jai Gurudeo had occupied hundreds of acres of land of Jawahar Bagh on the pretext of 'dharna'.

Their demands included "cancellation" of election of President and Prime Minister of India, replacement of existing currency with 'Azad Hind Fauj' currency, sale of diesel at the rate of 60 litres for one rupee and petrol at the rate of 40 litres for one rupee.

The high court had, acting on a PIL, directed the authorities to vacate the land.

In April, Mathura district administration has issued a notice to the protesters asking them to vacate the land.

The land falls under the Horticultural Department of the UP government, and attempts by its officials to evict the people had failed.

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