Mathura violence: DM, SSP transferred; SC to hear plea demanding CBI probe tomorrow

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday transferred the District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police of Mathura four days after a deadly clash left 29 people dead and several others injured.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's office confirmed the development through a tweet on its official Twitter handle.

District Magistrate and SSP of Mathura have been transferred. New incumbents will join soon, it said.

On #UPCM @yadavakhilesh instructions, DM/SSP Mathura has been transferred. New incumbents will join soon. — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) June 6, 2016

Babloo Kumar has been appointed the next SSP of Mathura, reports said.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea demanding a CBI probe into the recent violence in Mathura.

As per news agency ANI, the apex court posted the matter for hearing on Tuesday.

The development came days after violence had erupted in Mathura on June 2 during an operation to evict members of a religious group 'Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi' from government land.

The deadly clash between police and a cult group claimed at least 29 lives and left hundreds other injured.

Meanwhile, the Congress party today called on the Akhilesh Yadav led-Uttar Pradesh Government to form a special team under the supervision of the High Court and run a fair trial in the recent Mathura violence, saying the CBI does not need to intervene right now as it will only delay the investigation.

Congress Leader Pramod Tiwari told ANI that the Samajwadi Party led state government should ask for a CBI probe only if they are not satisfied with the investigation of the special team.

"I believe the Mathura incident is a heart wrenching and painful episode where two of our vigorous soldiers have been killed. There should be a fair investigation .the culprits must be punished," he said.

"A special team can be formed in Uttar Pradesh itself. And I believe it will be much better if this is coordinated under the supervision of the High Court," he added.

Taking potshots at Chief Minister Akhikesh Yadav and his family, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said on Sunday that the Centre was ready for a CBI probe into the matter provided the Uttar Pradesh Government demands the same in writing.

The Home Minister said it seems there is something hidden in the entire episode.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday asked Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to demand the resignation of his younger brother and state PWD Minister Shivpal Yadav, squarely holding him responsible for the Mathura violence.

It also came to light that Uttar Pradesh government had disregarded 40 intelligence reports indicating presence of a large number of licensed and unlicensed firearms inside Jawahar Bagh – the site of the deadly clash.