Police Constable Stoned To Death During Reservation Agitation: SP Ally Nishad Party’s Chief Booked, 19 Arrested

The Uttar Pradesh police on Sunday (30 December) arrested 19 activists and supporters of Nishad Party in connection with violence and the death of a police constable in stone-throwing incident during a protest in Ghazipur district on Saturday (29 December), ANI has reported.

Constable Suresh Vats, 49, was stoned to death allegedly by an agitating mob of Nishad Party workers in Nonhahara police station area of Ghazipur. Vyas was part of a police team trying to control a crowd that had gathered to greet Nishad Party state president Sanjay Nishad who was on his way to Gorakhpur from Ghazipur.

Nishad party is an alliance partner of the Samajwadi Party. Senior party leader Paveen Nishad, contesting on Samajwadi party symbol, wrested the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat during the by-election held last year.

The party has launched an agitation demanding that Nishads, currently classified as OBC, be moved to the SC (Scheduled Caste) category.

According to police sources, a team of cops were trying to manage traffic after Prime minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Ghazipur when some supporters of Nishad entered into an argument with police officers trying to clear the road of vehicles.

The workers hurled stones at the policemen and torched several vehicles. Even as police reinforcements arrived to chase the mob away, Constance Vats bled to death after being hit in the head by a stone.

Briefing the media persons on the Ghazipur violence, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police Varanasi zone, PV Ramasastry said, “Name of Nishad Party’s chief (Sanjay Nishad) is there in the FIR, proofs have been collected against him, and arrest will be made soon. Other accused will also be arrested. Evidence has been collected, and further actions will be taken accordingly”.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the death of Constable Suresh Vats and has announced Rs 40 lakh compensation for the wife of the deceased, informed Chief Minister's office.

The Chief Minister has also directed the DM SSP to take strict action against the unruly elements and make immediate arrests.

ANI quoted party chief Sanjay Nishad denying responsibility for the violent incidents: “We need proper investigation in the case. It is BJP who is plotting against us. Not our party workers but BJP workers threw stones at people. We’re taking our demand of reservation ahead in a democratic manner. If my party workers are found guilty, we will take strict action against them. It is easy to blame the weak as Yogi ji, and Modi ji are in power.”