Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow (SHP)
Lucknow, Dec 22: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday claimed that it was the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protesters who were responsible for the death of 18 people in anti-CAA riots. Further, the UP police also stated that the protesters fired 1,000 rounds which caused casualties.
The police officials alleged to have recovered over 405 empty cartridges. The autopsies of the 18 dead revealed that most of the deceased were hit by country made bullets.
The death toll in CAA-related protests increased since Thursday and also claimed life of an eight-year-old.
Earlier, speaking on deaths caused in violence, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh claimed women and children were used as 'shields by the protestors'. He maintained that police did not open fire and suggested the deaths were due to cross firing between protestors.
OP Singh said, "We did not shoot even a single bullet," adding, "We are clear and transparent in this. If anyone died due to our fire we will conduct a judicial inquiry and take action. But nothing happened from our side."
On Friday, clashes with police were reported from Bhadohi, Bahraich, Amroha, Farurukhabad, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Hapur, Hathras, Bulandshahr, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts and cases were registered.
After the violence turned intense, the UP police initiated an investigation to nab those responsible for stir in the state that killed over 200. Singh stressed that the violence is a part of some conspiracy and that NGOs and people affiliated to politics are responsible for instigating the protesters. Meanwhile, he has assured of investigation in the matter.
Police claimed that many outsiders were involved in violence and they are being identified through CCTV footage in the affected area.
A notice, with a copy CCTV screengrab attached, is being served to suspected individuals.