Allahabad High Court asks Uttar Pradesh for report on police action during violence

Allahabad : Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a report on police action taken during the mega violence that took place in the state in December over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA.

The court was hearing seven petitions against the police crackdown in the state over the violence against the CAA.

Nearly 20 people had lost their lives in the violence-related incidents. Most of the deaths were because of bullet injuries but the police have owned up to firing in only one instance.

"How many complaints have been filed against the police or government officials over the crackdown on protesters?" the high court asked the UP government, seeking a detailed report on police action, according to Mehmood Pracha, the lawyer for one of the petitioners.

The court also ordered Uttar Pradesh government to file an autopsy report of those who lost their lives during the violence in the state. In court, the petitioners had alleged this was not being done. The case will be taken up again on February 17.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the first time makes religion the test of citizenship in India. The government says it will help minorities from three Muslim-dominated countries to get citizenship if they fled to India because of religious persecution. Critics say it is designed to discriminate against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the constitution.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had warned of a "crackdown" on the protesters and the government ordered that those found responsible for damaging public property during the protests would have to pay for it.