14 persons arrested in Agra for assault on Fatehpur Sikri police station

Agra: Fourteen persons associated with different right-wing outfits were arrested on Sunday in connection with violence at Agra’s Sadar Bazaar and Fatehpur Sikri police stations on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_3324518” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] We have arrested 14 persons in connection with the violence on Saturday, DIG Mahesh Mishra told PTI. There had been a tiff between two groups in Fatehpur Sikri, after which the police had detained some persons on Saturday. But the incident snowballed into a violent protest as members of right-wing groups gathered insisting that the detainees be released. Some police personnel including a senior officer were roughed up by the protesters and a motor-bike damaged. A BJP MLA was also alleged to be among the protesters though there were reports that he may have left before the violence began. The incident occurred barely a few hours after the new Uttar Pradesh DGP Sulkhan Singh took charge and vowed to crush hooliganism. Singh had also warned those who try to take the law into their hands in the name of cow protection or tackling eve-teasing. In Agra, senior police officials indicated that they would not bow to any pressure and action would be initiated against those involved in the rampage. More arrests are likely, they said. Activists of Hindutva groups have been quite active in the area in recent times. On Saturday they had entered the Taj Mahal premises to protest against an alleged ban on saffron scarves. On Sunday activists of right-wing outfits took out a march through the city to protest against certain developments in Kerala.