Lucknow, 19 December: Around 5000 protesters gathered on Thursday to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Citizenship Register (NRC) at Parivartan Chowk in the capital and insisted on marching towards Hazratganj. When the police tried to stop the protesters, some miscreants began pelting stones at the police. The protesters also tried to burn OB vans of media and some vehicles of the locals.
Apart from this, violence also took place at different places in Lucknow. The protesters first set the Madyaganj police chowki on fire and then the Satkhanda police chowki in Thakurganj area.
Lucknow’s local intelligence unit (LIU) was apprised about the announcement of various Muslim organizations to oppose the CAA and NRC on the martyrdom day of Vismil and Ashfaq through gatherings at the Parivartan Chowk. In view of this, at 11 am, the Director General of Police(DGP) of Uttar Pradesh OP Singh, Inspector General of Police DK Thakur, Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi Naithani arrived at Parivartan Chowk with heavy police force. By 2 pm, the police was completely in control of Parivartan Chowk, but by 3 o’clock, a large number of protesters started reaching Parivartan Chowk. Police force fell short when about five thousand protesters suddenly arrived at Parivartan Chowk. On this, Superintendent of Police Vikas Chandra demanded a heavy police force from the spot. After this, the protesters began to be removed after heavy police forces arrived. After this, the SSP appealed to the people present in Hazratganj area to come out of the corridor of the market and not to get panic in any way.
Despite this, the protesters insisted on going towards Hazratganj, which the police had to lathicharge to stop. Meanwhile, some protesters threw stones at the policemen. A large number of protesters entered Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and started petling stones from the park.
Appealing to the people, DGP OP Singh said that there is no need to fear in any way. Those who are present in the market, move towards their homes comfortably. After this, DGP Singh headed towards Hazratganj intersection, then the top police officers also followed him. SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said that the huge march from Parivartan Chowk has been stopped. People in the market have been appealed to go to their residence.
DGP said no lapse of police
Director General of Police, Omprakash Singh, after controlling the situation by wearing a helmet himself, told the media persons that there was no lapse from our police. The situation in the capital will soon be under control.
Shops closed in major markets of the city
