Varanasi Violence: Police Thrashed, Arson, and Now Curfew
Hindu protesters in Varanasi took to the streets against lathi-charge on godmen on 22 September.
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After 15 days of rising tension, a mob ran amok on the streets of Varanasi earlier on Monday. Police personnel were beaten up and police vehicles set on fire.
A curfew has been imposed in four areas in the city – Kotwali, Dashashwamedh, Chowk, and Luxa after the protests turned violent.
The violence comes 2 weeks after a police lathi-charge on a group of sadhus that took place on 22 September. The sadhus had been on a dharna for 2 days demanding permission to immerse Ganesh idols in the Ganga.
What started as a ‘Pratikar Rally’ in support of the sadhus who had been lathi-charged, soon turned violent, as the protestors clashed with the police.
In the Godowlia area of Varanasi the mob burnt three police cars and a police post. Some shops were also set ablaze.
The godmen, on strike for over a month, were forcefully removed from the spot. Several of them were injured as a result.
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