Lucknow police fail to curb SP men on rampage

Trouble started when about 50 `red brigade’ members of the SP scaled the boundary wall of the park, broke the police cordon and blocked traffic at the busy Hazratganj crossing. The police force was woefully inadequate to tackle the belligerent workers, as they dragged out police head constable Arvind Singh from his vehicle and beat him up. Another group of SP workers overturned the vehicle and set it on fire.

Encouraged by this, more activists joined the red brigade and chased the police, who were led by SP (city, East Lucknow) Rakesh Pradhan, towards Hazratganj.

Pradhan desperately sought additional forces while the traffic ground to a halt. City Magistrate Bhagelu Ram, who arrived on the spot was hit on the head and bled profusely.When police forces tried to retaliate, they found themselves severely outnumbered and had to beat a hasty retreat. In the ensuing melee about two dozen policemen were injured, including additional city magistrate RK Pandey and Pradhan.

SP workers also ransacked nearby shops in Hazratganj area. A number of government and private vehicles were damaged in the stoning. It was only after the arrival of additional forces that the mob dispersed, but not before the police fired two rounds in the air.

Speaking to newspersons later, State SP chief accused the police of unleashing “unprovoked violence” and claimed that BJP workers had filtered in to sabotage their “peaceful” agitation.

BJP spokesman Shyam Nandan Singh, onthe other hand, accused SP leaders of trying to avenge their failure in toppling the Kalyan Singh Government during the trust vote in the Assembly on October 21.