Protester killed in Peru's capital, rising crisis toll to 58
Lima (Peru) (AP): A protester has been killed in Lima during brutal clashes between police and demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
It was the first such death in Peru's capital. V ctor Santisteban Yacsavilca, 55, suffered a severe head injury during clashes with law enforcement in downtown Lima on Saturday, Peru's ombudsman said.
A total of 58 people, including one police officer, have now died amid the unrest across Peru that began after then-President Pedro Castillo was impeached and later arrested for trying to dissolve Congress on Dec. 7. Boluarte, who was then vice president, took over.
Protesters descended on Peru's capital earlier this month to expand demonstrations that had earlier largely been focused in the country's south and exposed deep divisions between residents of the capital and the long-neglected countryside.
Large protests also took place Saturday in Peru's southern Cusco region.
The demonstrations demanding Boluarte's resignation as well as the dissolution of Congress and early elections had been turning increasingly violent as frustrated protesters became angry at the way the government ignored their demands and staunchly defended the work of the police that met them with volleys of tear gas and pellets.
Groups of protesters remained in downtown Lima until late in the night but were often dispersed by police using tear gas.
"They're bastards, but we won't get tired," Juli n Mart nez said as he wore a Peruvian flag on his back that had the words, "Dina murderer."
Earlier, Boluarte had expressed regret that Congress failed to approve a measure that could have moved presidential elections forward to later this year.
"We regret that Congress was not able to come to an agreement to set a date for general elections," the presidency said in a message posted on social media.
Lawmakers shot down a bill late Friday that would have moved elections to the end of the year, although the measure could be reconsidered.
Boluarte, who had already expressed support for holding elections in 2024 rather than the previously scheduled 2026, called on Congress earlier this week to approve a schedule that could lead to a national vote later this year.
Almost two-thirds of Peruvians agree elections should be held later this year, according to a poll published by local newspaper La Rep blica Sunday.
There were 80 road blockades across the country Saturday as part of the protests, according to Peru's ombudsman.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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