No permission was taken for Kasganj rally: OP Singh

As communal tension continues to brew in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh top cop OP Singh speaks exclusively to Anvit Srivastava over the situation, strategies, action and investigations.

Search operations led to recovery of weapons. Is it believed to have been stashed before?

We have been tracking the miscreants with effective use of technical surveillance. This is how we could arrest Saleem and seize a number of weapons – double barrel shot guns, live country made explosives, live cartridges. This was possible only due to intensified house-to-house search and stringent patrolling. A total of 122 people have been arrested so far and are being questioned to identify the motive.

Were the clashes planned?

We are still carrying out investigation which will unfold all these aspects. Primary objective, after violence broke out, was maintenance of law and order. We have constituted a Special Investigation Team. We are also keeping a team of Special Task Force to assist the SIT and local police in terms of digital surveillance.

Was Tiranga Yatra, which instigated the violence, being escorted by police?

It was normal to take out a procession of this nature since it was Republic Day and everyone was involved in a patriotic way. When the procession reached a certain locality,  two groups started fighting with each other and pelting stones. Amid this, there was a firing that claimed the life of one person while another youth was injured. Initial probe has suggested that no prior permission was sought for the procession and therefore no police team was escorting it.

There were allegations that police did not react immediately leading to other incidents of violence

It is not so. As soon as the violence broke out, the police swung into action. The police acted in time and we managed to restore normalcy in no time. Policing is being done in the best possible way.

Is it true that people from one community were forced to chant objectionable slogans?

What exactly was the point of provocation is a matter of probe. Those arrested are being subjected to intense questioning to find out.

Social media and internet play crucial roles. How well is UP cyber cell equipped to deal with this?

When there was tension, we had completely restricted the internet. But anyone can post anything from anywhere on social media, regardless of geographical restrictions. We are taking steps in this regard. A strict watch is also being kept on those trying to misuse it.

What is the next course of action?

With tightened surveillance and stricter vigil, we have identified some anti-social elements and they are being rounded up. Frequent raids are underway.