Mathura violence: Akhilesh orders Commissioner-level probe

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said he has ordered a "Commissioner-level" probe into the clashes in Mathura that claimed 24 lives, including of two police officers.

"It is a serious issue," Akhilesh Yadav told reporters, adding: "I have ordered a Commissioner-level probe into the matter."

Asked whether it was an intelligence failure, the Chief Minister replied: "It wasn't an intelligence failure... after inquiry only it would be clear how many weapons (revolvers and bombs) were there."

On Thursday evening, encroachers attacked a police team which had gone to the Jawahar Bagh area of Mathura to ensure peaceful eviction of encroachers as directed by the Allahabad High Court.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Akhilesh Yadav took to Twitter and assured of "strict action" against the perpetrators of the Mathura violence.

"Uttar Pradesh government will ensure the strictest action under law against the perpetrators in the Mathura incident, speedy prosecution of the accused," tweeted the Chief Minister.

He also promised to support the families of the killed police officers.

"My deepest condolences go to the families of these bravehearts. My government will ensure all support to the families," he wrote in another tweet.

He also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of the two police officers.

--IANS

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