Aligarh violence: SP, Congress stage walkout in UP Assembly over police action
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party and Congress staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Monday against alleged police atrocities on peaceful anti-CAA protesters, including women, in Aligarh.
Soon after the House met at 11 am, Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary demanded a discussion on the issue. He alleged that women were lathi-charged and tear gas shells were fired during the protest in Aligarh on Sunday.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Congress leader Aradhana Misra, who raised the issue through separate notices, alleged that the government is out crush the peaceful protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
"Is this the 'Ram rajya' that the government claims (to be aiming for). It had been jungle law ever since the BJP came to power," Misra said, adding that the government is answerable for the police action.
Chaudhary and Misra also demanded a judicial probe into the incident by a sitting Supreme Court or high court judge.
In his reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said the Aligarh incident was a result of rivalry between the protesting women and the Bhim Army.
"When vehicles were damaged and there was anarchy, police stepped in and had to use force," he said.
"The government will unmask those behind these agitations and those patting the backs of protesters. No citizen will have to suffer. It is the attitude of the Opposition which is responsible for it (violence) and nothing will happen if they do not encourage it," he added.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the minister's reply, SP and Congress members staged a walkout.
Earlier, Khanna had said, "I want to ask who is fanning the protests and who is affected by it (CAA) in UP. We have the answer for everything and law and order is the priority of the government."
At least five people were injured as anti-CAA protesters and police clashed in the old city area of Aligarh on Sunday.
The police fired teargas shells to disperse the mob that vandalised property and pelted stones at security personnel in Upper Kot area of Kotwali police station, Aligarh District Magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh said.
The violence broke out after police tried to evict women protesters who had been staging a sit-in at Mohammed Ali Road leading to the police station since Saturday.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
