Seven arrested for Maharashtra caste-violence

Thane (Maharashtra)/Ullhasnagar (Kanpur), Dec. 2 (ANI): Police here have arrested seven persons for instigating mob violence after the desecration of an Ambedkar's statue in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

"We have arrested people who were seen at the site of disturbance.

Investigations are undergoing. One of the accused, Krishna Naidu, if found to have actually helped people during the incident, he will be treated accordingly," said R.E. Pawar, Superintendent of Railway Police.

Krishna Naidu, however, claimed innocence, and said he actually helped those who were made to get off the torched train by the rioting mob.

R.J. Bhojane, the engine driver of the 'Deccan Queen', went on record to say that Naidu had actually helped him get back to his home from the riot scene.

"Since morning when I was made to get down at Ullhasnagar, he was with me all the time. He was not one of them," said Bhojane.

At least three persons were killed when five bogies of the Deccan Queen that runs between Pune and Mumbai were torched in Ullhasnagar last Thursday.

Around two dozens people have been arrested in connection with the torching of train's bogies.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh met senior officials of the state and took stock of the security situation on Friday.

He also ordered a probe into the Dalit protests, and assured proper action against the perpetrators of the mayhem. (ANI)