21 killed in northern Indian violence between police, encroachers

  03 June 2016    Read: 1694
21 killed in northern Indian violence between police, encroachers
At least 21 people, including a police commander and a police officer, have been killed and over 100 injured in the massive clash between police and encroachers which broke out in the northern Indian city Mathura in Uttar Pradesh state, said officials, according to Xinhua news agency.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered an inquiry into the violence which was triggered by an anti-encorachment operation of police in the city, known for its Hindu temples.

Police have arrested over 300 people involved in the violence, said local TV reports.

Meanwhile, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed anguish over the loss of lives and assured all necessary help to the state government.

Among the dead were 19 civilians, while Superintendent of Police Mukul Dwivedi and another officer Farah, were killed, said police.

The violence had erupted when police were trying to evict some 3,000 illegal occupants, believed to be from a religious sector called Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi, from Jawahar Bagh, at the order of a local court.

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