UP: Violence over demolition of illegally constructed place of

Violence erupted in a residential area on the city outskirts today over authorities demolishing an illegally constructed place of worship with a mob resorting to heavy stone-pelting and torching a state-run bus, prompting police to lob teargas shells and fire in the air.
Additonal Superintendent of Police (City) Rajesh Kumar Yadav, who rushed to Shantipuram locality to bring situation under control, "A demolition drive was being carried out by Allahabad Development Authority as part of which a number of kiosks erected unlawfully on the roadside were brought down".
"There was a spot where some people had installed a few idols and used to regularly place flowers and burn incense sticks. They had even started calling the place a temple.

"This is a common tactic adopted by those involved in encroachment of land. The authorities acted lawfully by removing the idols that had been illegally put there," he said.
"Those indulging in encroachment of public land were obviously miffed over the drive. Among them were some anti-social elements who started hurling stones at the authorities whom they accused of having desecrated a 'temple'.
"By the time the police party could reach, the mob had torched a State Roadways Corporation Transport bus and damaged a couple of other vehicles parked nearby," he said.
Police had to lob teargas shells and fire in the air to disperse them, Yadav said.

Situation has been brought under control. A criminal case is being registered in this connection under relevant sections of the IPC. Those involved in arson and vandalism are being identified and their arrests will follow, Yadav added.