Cops use plastic stool, wicker basket as riot control gear in Unnao, 4 suspended

Four cops, including an SHO, have been suspended for negligence in duty after a photo of them using a plastic stool and a wicker basket as riot control gear went viral.

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Cops use plastic stool, wicker basket as riot control gear in Unnao, 4 suspended
The cops used a plastic stool and wicker basket as protective gear while controlling an angry mob in Unnao.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has suspended an SHO and three other cops in Unnao after a photo went viral in which some cops could be seen using a plastic stool and a wicker basket as protective gear while handling a riotous mob.

Taking note of the viral image, IG Lucknow Range Lakshmi Singh ordered suspension of SHO Dinesh Chandra Mishra and three other cops for laxity, incompetence and being unprofessional.

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In a tweet, the UP Police said, "An elaborate SOP and sufficient riot gears have been given to all districts to deal with any law and order situation. In a law and order situation in Unnao, despite intelligence inputs, the force was ill-equipped for which the DGP has sought explanation from the SP, and at the local level, the SHO has been suspended."

The viral image

The action comes after the Uttar Pradesh Police faced criticism for allegedly not providing enough protective gear to its personnel who were deployed to control law and order situation on ground.

The cops in Unnao were tasked with controlling an angry mob that was pelting them with stones.

Speaking about the matter, SP (Unnao) Anand Kulkarni said two people were killed in a road accident in Devi Kheda village and their bodies were sent for post-mortem.

"However, on the pretext of taking the bodies for cremation, some people took them to the accident spot and kept them on the road. Villagers soon gathered at the spot and started protesting. The SDM and Circle Officer reached the spot and tried to persuade them to return home," he said.

However, the SP said, the people refused to leave the spot and during this, some people started pelting police with stones.

"Necessary force was used to disperse the crowd. More than 40 people have been arrested. Cases have been filed and strict action will be taken against them," he said.

(With inputs from Vishal Singh in Unnao)

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