Muzaffarnagar Ground Report: Shops Sealed, Many Held After CAA Row
Following the incident, the police sealed over 50 shops at Meenakshi Chowk and imposed Section 144 in the town.
Muzaffarnagar, yet another Uttar Pradesh city, witnessed violence on 20 and 21 December, during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The police put a precautionary clampdown into effect and made several arrests following the violence.
The Quint brings you the situation on the ground and the sequence of events which unfolded on 21 and 22 December.
The first instances of violence broke out on Friday, 20 December, when locals and police got involved in a clash during a protest against the CAA near the town’s Meenakshi Chowk.
Locals also suggested that many shops were gutted and shops vandalised at nearby Madina Chowk when the clashes ensued after Friday prayers.
Former Congress MP Saiduzzaman's car was also allegedly vandalised, during the violence.
The situation in Muzaffarnagar remains extremely tense amid heavy police deployment and a suspension of internet.
‘More Than 50 People Arrested, 25 Police Personnel Injured,’ Says UP Police
While speaking to The Quint, Muzaffarnagar SSP Abhishek Yadav said, “More than 250 people were identified based on videos and 50 have been arrested following an FIR. They’ve been charged with rioting, vandalism and damage to public property.”
On being quizzed about casualties, the police categorically denied any civilian death in police firing. “Somebody from Muzaffarnagar died in Meerut. A rumour was spread that he was killed in police firing. We are probing the death,” the SSP said. He further added that 25 police personnel have been injured in the incident.
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