BJP leader, 16 others booked for rioting

Seventeen people, including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, were today booked for assaulting security personnel during protests against the closure of a railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh.

Seventeen people, including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, were on Wednesday booked for assaulting security personnel during protests against the closure of a railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh.

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A criminal case has been registered against BJP leader Ashok Dubey and 16 others for Tuesday's violence over the closure of the Farrukhabad railway crossing in Etawah, some 300 km from here.

Six policemen were injured when a mob led by Dubey, a former legislator, fought pitched battles with the police and Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The 17 have been charged with rioting, unlawful assembly, preventing public servant from discharging their duty, breach of peace and criminal intimidation among others.

"The case was registered on the complaint of the Government Railway Police (GRP)," District police chief MP Salonia told reporters in Etawah.

No arrests have been made so far.

According to police, railway authorities decided to close the Farrukhabad railway crossing after an over-bridge was constructed over it.

However, locals claimed that the over-bridge was risky to pedestrians as it lacked a footpath.

On earlier occasions, authorities had to defer their decision to close the railway crossing because of protests.