Agra: Fire opened by 150 VHP and Bajrang Dal activists on Dussera

100-150 saffron activist gathered at the Ramlila grounds on Dussehra, just across the road from the Agra Fort and started firing in air after Dussera pooja. This created panic in public and tourists which led to a stampede situation. The area is in the contravention of Section 144 CrPC, which forbids the assembly of more than 5 people at one place.

After two days, the Agra police has finally filed a criminal case against 80 activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal for firing bullets near the Amar Singh Gate of Agra Fort, endangering the lives of hundreds of people.

Agra SSP Amit Pathak said, an FIR under sections 307 IPC has been registered against 29 activists who were identified from the video footage, while 40-50 activists are still unidentified. Apart from attempted murder charges, there are 10 other charges registered in the FIR including sections 143, 144, 149, 188, 295, 298, 505(3), 153A and 153AA. A report into this entire incident has been sent to the state government.

Most of these activists, are already facing several criminal charges, but they are still holding licensed weapons and were carrying them openly, especially at a time when section 144 CrPC is effective in the district. To this the police said the activist even thrashed policemen but the BJP MLAs of Agra come in their defence because of which no action have been taking against them.