UP limps back to normalcy after violent protests

Normalcy returned to Uttar Pradesh today after large-scale violence was reported in the state which left two people dead and over 70 others injured during 'Bharat Bandh'.

Around 650 people have been arrested in connection with yesterday's violence in the state and 125 cases have been lodged, DIG (Law and Order) Pravin Kumar said.

No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere today, the DIG said, adding that the footage of arson and violence received by the police is being looked into.

The loss of property is also being evaluated, Kumar said.

All necessary steps are being taken to ensure that no such incident is allowed to recur anywhere in the state, he said.

As many as two people were killed and over 70 others were injured as Dalit groups protested against what they claimed as "dilution" of the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Several towns in western UP saw violence and in Meerut, a former BSP MLA Yogesh Verma, was among those arrested.

Violent incidents took place in Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Agra besides some other districts too.