BY :- Shruti Tiwari
Massive violence broke out in Karachhana, Prayagraj, on Sunday following the detention of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) president and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at the Prayagraj Circuit House. The unrest saw widespread stone-pelting, arson, and destruction of public and private property, leaving the region engulfed in chaos for nearly two hours.
Triggering Incident
Chandrashekhar Azad was on his way to Kausambi’s Lohanda village to meet the family of a minor rape victim and the relatives of a Dalit youth allegedly burnt alive in Karachhana’s Isohta Lohangpur area. Upon arrival at Prayagraj around 11:40 AM, police stopped him at the airport citing law and order concerns and later took him to the Circuit House. Refusing to leave, Azad staged a sit-in at the gate with supporters.
As news of his detention spread, a large group of his supporters gathered at Bhadewara Bazaar in Karachhana and blocked the Karachhana-Kohdar road, sparking a violent protest.
Violence Unfolds
By 2:30 PM, around 2,000–2,500 people had gathered near the Hanumanpur Mori crossing, shouting slogans and refusing to clear the road. Attempts by police officials from Bhunda outpost to disperse the crowd were met with resistance, prompting them to retreat and call for reinforcement.
Around 3:30 PM, the crowd turned violent—stone-pelting began, and police vehicles were attacked. Dial 112 patrol vehicles were overturned and damaged, along with police jeeps from Naini and Industrial Area police stations. Several private buses and vehicles caught in the traffic jam were also vandalized.
Shops in the market were ransacked, leading to panic and stampedes among customers. Protesters set fire to 15 motorcycles, and a total of 42 abandoned bikes were later seized by police from the site, believed to belong to the rioters.
Police Response and Injuries
The situation was brought under control around 5:30 PM after Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dr. Ajay Pal Sharma arrived with heavy police and PAC force. Six police personnel, including an outpost in-charge, were injured in the stone-pelting.
Following the chaos, the police have identified 50 to 60 individuals involved in the violence, with 20 people taken into custody for questioning.
Legal Action and Charges
Authorities have confirmed that strict action will be taken against those involved. FIRs have been registered under multiple IPC sections including those under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
“We will invoke Gangster Act and National Security Act (NSA) against the main accused. Those responsible for inciting and participating in violence will face the harshest legal consequences,” said Dr. Ajay Pal Sharma.
The police also defended the decision to stop Azad from visiting sensitive locations, citing serious concerns about public safety and potential unrest