The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday suspended Saharanpur District Magistrate NP Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police SC Dubey for not being able to curb recent caste clashes between the Dalit and Thakur communities, reported ANI. Meanwhile, divisional commissioner and deputy inspector general have been transferred, reported Hindustan Times.
Chief Minister Adityanath said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the violence. While K Pandey has been appointed district magistrate, Bablu Kumar will take over as the district police chief, according to Hindustan Times. KS Emmanuel has been named the new deputy inspector general.
Officials told the English daily that internet and short messaging services were suspended on Wednesday to stop the spread of rumours in the region. The ban does not extend to the police and administration officers, the report said.
Several incidents of caste violence have been reported from the region in the past few weeks. On Tuesday, May 23, one person was killed and at least two others were injured in clashes. The violence took place ahead of and during a rally by Bahujan Samaj Party chief and former Chief Minister Mayawati.
Tuesday’s incident was the fourth such clash between the Dalit and Thakur communities in Saharanpur. One person was killed in the same area a fortnight ago in clashes between the two communities. At least 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
On Sunday, hundreds of Dalits, led by the Saharanpur-based organisation Bhim Army, had gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to protest against caste-based discrimination in the Uttar Pradesh district.
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