In the latest development to come out of the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, the Uttar Pradesh government started the process of sealing the properties of protesters. This is in order to combat the violence that has erupted in the fast few days.
It was said that several such protesters, who have allegedly caused potential harm to public property and lives, have already been identified and have been sent notices. The action is based on a Supreme Court order that defaulters will be made liable for the loss and damage of public properties and will have to compensate for the same.
The additional district magistrates have been made the in-charge of assessing the damage to various properties in the various parts of the city. CM Yogi Adityanath said, on Thursday, that those who have incited violence and participated in rampant vandalisation will have to pay for the damage to public properties.
“We will attach their properties because many faces had been identified through the video footage,” he said. He added that the CCTV footage, video clips, and photographs will be used to identify the ‘rioters’ and then strict action will be taken.
So far, the protests against CAA that broke out in several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday have left at least 18 people dead and a lot of assets have been damaged. It is said that the investigation committee that has been set up, will receive representation from those who have suffered losses and also assess damage to public property and along with CCTV footage and video recordings made in different areas.
The process will be completed within 30 days. A senior official said that this exercise would be replicated in all districts that have been hit by violence during the protests.