Lucknow: At least one person died in Lucknow on Thursday from what the police called “alleged firearm injury” during violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The police cracked down on protesters using tear gas and batons after vandalism, arson and stone-throwing erupted during a demonstration in the Uttar Pradesh capital against the contentious law.
Anti-citizenship law protesters hurled stones and damaged police outposts and a number of vehicles mainly in the Old City areas of Lucknow, forcing the police to use tear-gas shells to control the situation.
The protesters torched a state-run bus at Parivartan Chowk, close to the district magistrate’s office, and torched a police post in Satkhanda area.
Another police post was damaged in old Lucknow’s Madeyganj, where police fired tear-gas shells after protesters smashed vehicles parked outside a police post. About 20 people were taken into custody.
When protesters in other parts of Lucknow hurled stones at police, they were lathi-charged. In several areas, including Hasanganj, policemen had a tough time tackling the protesters, who adopted a “hit-and-run” tactic, officials said. A few policemen were injured in the violence.
At Parivartan Chowk, which appeared to be the epicentre of the agitation, policemen faced brickbats and the van of a television crew was set on fire.
The gates of the nearby KD Singh metro station were shut to keep protesters from gathering at Parivartan Chowk.
The violence against the amended law led to panic among residents and forced traders in many markets, including the busy Hazratganj area, to shut their shops.
TV footage from different parts in the capital showed smashed vehicles, broken glass and rocks. Many stone-throwers had their faces covered with masks or handkerchiefs.
