Mathura: Death toll climbs to 21, Akhilesh Yadav orders probe; BJP, Congress train guns at UP govt

Agra: As the death toll in the Mathura violence rose to 21, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, assuring him all possible help from the Centre.

"Spoke to UP CM Shri @yadavakhilesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have also assured him of all possible help from the Centre," Singh tweeted.

"Anguished over the loss of lives in the incidents of violence in Mathura. May God gives strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss."

21 people, including two policemen were killed, after clashes broke during an anti-encroachment drive in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura town on Thursday.

Superintendent of Police (City) Mukul Dwivedi and Farha Station House Officer (SHO) Santosh Kumar Yadav were killed in firing by the encroachers. Five other policemen were injured.

The clashes broke out when police were trying to evict illegal occupants of a land in Jawahar Bagh by activists, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi, on the directions of the Allahabad High Court.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief and ordered a probe into the incident. He assured of strict action against the culprits.

दुःख की इस घड़ी में राज्य सरकार शहीद पुलिसकर्मियों के परिवार के साथ है और उनकी हर सम्भव सहायता की जाएगी: #UPCM @yadavakhilesh @UPGovt — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) June 3, 2016

'@UPGovt will ensure the strictest action under law against the perpetrators in the Mathura incident. Speedy prosecution of the accused'-CM — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) June 3, 2016

Yadav instructed Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police to personally inspect the clashes at Mathura at the earliest and take stock of the situation.

Meanwwhile, Bharatiya Janata party MP from Mathura Hema Malini extended condolences to the families of the policemen killed.

So so upset by ths news frm a place which is so dear to me Will go there again if my presence is required.My heart goes out to the bereaved — Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) June 3, 2016

UPP police lost two brave officers today in the line of duty. My salutations to them. We shall always remember their supreme sacrifice — Javeed (@javeeddgpup) June 2, 2016

Huge cache of arms recovered in Mathura 45 arms of 315 bore, two 12 bore one factory made 315 bore rifle, one 12 bore rifle, four 315 bore — Javeed (@javeeddgpup) June 3, 201

Mathura Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh said criminal elements had encroached upon a major part of the 280-acre government land named Jawahar Bagh.

IG (Law and Order) H R Sharma said around 3,000 encroachers pelted stones and later opened fire at the police team as they reached the spot. In retaliation, the police had to fire after using batons and tear gas at them, he said.

The encroachers threw hand-grenades and bombs at the police and beat up many of them. Reports say that at least four dozen people, including, two dozen police personnel, were injured in the skirmishes.

Ram Vraksha Yadav, leader of the activists, and the security officer of the group Chandan Gaur managed to flee along with thousands of their supporters

The UP Chief Minister announced Rs 20 lakh ex gratia to the family of the killed police official.

Expressing grave concern over the Mathura violence, the Congress Party on Friday cornered the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party Government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) castigated the violent clashes between the police and illegal occupants of a land in Mathura and slammed the Akhilesh Yadav led government, for not being able to maintain law and order situation in the state.