Police lathicharge on Bhim Army’s Sankalp Yatra:Water cannons and tear gas used in Datia; 100 activists arrested

A clash broke out between police and activists during the ‘Sankalp Yatra’ of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and Bhim Army at Goraghat in Datia district on Wednesday. Police had to use water cannons, tear gas and mild baton charge to stop the activists who were trying to move towards Gwalior without permission. Around 100 people were detained and sent to a temporary jail. According to information, the march was heading from Datia to Gwalior under the leadership of party national executive member Damodar Yadav, and a public meeting had been proposed at Goraghat. However, after objections from the Savarna Army, the administration cancelled permission for both the meeting and the march. Despite this, more than 500 activists under the banner of Bhim Army started moving towards Goraghat around 3 pm on Wednesday. Anticipating tension, police from both Datia and Gwalior districts were deployed at the Goraghat bridge over the Sindh River. Even after explanation, they did not agree, 15-20 tear gas shells were fired Police initially tried to stop and persuade the crowd, but the activists refused to move back. As the situation turned aggressive, police used water cannons to disperse them. Around 15–20 tear gas shells were fired and mild baton charge was also carried out. About 100 people were detained from the spot and taken by buses to a temporary jail in Badoni. Additional buses were also deployed at the site to remove other protesters. Police force from 15 stations deployed, Savarna Army officials under house arrest The administration has deployed heavy security in the area. Police personnel from around 15 police stations, along with the district SP and three SDOPs, are stationed at different locations to monitor the situation. Officials have made it clear that the march will not be allowed to reach Dabra near the Gwalior border under any circumstances. To prevent further confrontation, office-bearers of the Savarna Army have also been placed under preventive house detention at Ramlal Temple in Asnai. Demand to install Ambedkar statue in Gwalior High Court The Sankalp Yatra, which began from Nagpur, aims to reach Gwalior on March 14 to demand installation of a statue of B. R. Ambedkar at the Gwalior High Court. However, after the permission for the march was cancelled in Datia and the subsequent clash, the situation in the area remains tense.