PRAYAGRAJ: Investigations into the violent agitation by students on Tuesday and their attempt to stop a passenger train near Prayag railway station on Thursday revealed that it was a pre-planned move by troublemakers who instigated students for violent protests through various social media groups, as in Bihar. Rajesh Sachan, a Kanpur Dehat resident, was detained on Thursday for reportedly inciting students by sending incendiary remarks in a WhatsApp group. On Wednesday, police detained two more student leaders, Mukesh Yadav and Pradeep Yadav, both of Kushi Nagar and Pratapgarh, who led demonstrations near Prayag railway station on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, top police officers talked with students in Chota Baghara, Baghara, Salori, Allenganj, Colonelganj, and other localities, urging them not to participate in violence or agitation, stating that some student leaders were provoking it for their own benefit. Officials advised students to avoid such acts because FIRs could be filed against them and police action could jeopardise their job and future. Ajeet Singh Chauhan, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Colonelganj, stated that the violent agitation was pre-planned, and a youth leader named Rajesh Sachan was arrested for allegedly inciting students via social media.
So far, three arrests have been made in this case, including two student leaders who led demonstrators in an unsuccessful attempt to stop a train and obstruct rail traffic near Prayag railway station on Tuesday, according to the DSP. Protesting students were cane-charged and thrown out of hostel rooms after police broke through the doors with rifle butts. Six police officers, including one inspector, two sub inspectors, and three constables, were suspended on Wednesday on charges of dereliction of duty after videos of their actions went viral on social media. They were accused of high-handedness while handling protests over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) for various non-technical category posts.
DSP stated that multiple social media groups were formed in various areas to provoke students in colleges and examinees studying for competitive exams. On Thursday, cops patrolled Baghara, Chota Baghara, and other areas, urging students to speak with officials rather than engage in violence. Ajay Kumar, SSP, Prayagraj, visited Baghara and surrounding areas and urged students to focus on their studies rather than engage in activities that disrupt law and order. In a statement, Prayagraj police stated that they used "moderate force" after students pelted stones from the hostel. Cops claimed to have videotaped the entire scuffle outside Prayag railway station, where students had gathered to block a train.
"We analysed the CCTV footage and detained two student leaders who were guiding the protestors," a senior cop explained. Police teams searched private accommodations in search for troublemakers and asked students to come out for identification, he claimed prior to signing off.
HS/Abhishek Awasthi
