Mathura clashes: Govt. lambasts SP, accuses Akhilesh of turning blind eye to criminals

Asserting that the Mathura violence was a prime example of the Samajwadi Party (SP) Government's spectacular failure in Uttar Pradesh, Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan called for a thorough probe into the matter.

"The SP government does not have the guts to take action against thugs and goons as the party itself is full of criminals if you look closely. Or else how would it have taken two and half years for them to take action in the matter? Whatever they have done so far has been because of the pressure from the High Court," Balyan told ANI

Emphasising on the rampant corruption under the SP Government's nose, he added that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had knowingly turned a blind eye towards criminals.

"A full enquiry needs to be done as this is a clear case of intelligence failure by the state. But a fair probe cannot be conducted in UP and it needs to be done outside the state," Balyan added.

Meanwhile, the death toll in yesterday's Mathura clash has risen to 22. Those killed include Mathura Superintendent of Police (City) Mukul Dwivedi, Farah Police Station SHO Santosh Yadav and 20 protesters. More than 40 people have been injured in the incident.

The clashes between police and protesters broke out when the men in uniform launched a drive to clear encroachment in Jawahar Bagh area of the city.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier had a telephonic conversation with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and assured him of complete help from the Centre in wake of the unfortunate incident.

Superintendent of Police (City) Mukul Dwivedi and Farah Police Station SHO Santosh Yadav were among those killed when the Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena (SBSS) activists opened fire at the police party that attempted to evict the Jawahar Park late last evening.

Over 100 people, including City Magistrate Ram Araj Yadav, were also injured in the clash that lasted for almost four hours.

The encroachers, who described themselves as 'Satyagrahis', were reportedly from a semi-religious sect.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident and also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 20 lakh to the family of deceased policemen.

The authorities have cleared the area and a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits.