Akhilesh Yadav accuses UP Police of abducting students; police deny, say arrests of 'anti-social elements'

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that Uttar Pradesh Police's special team abducted several students in Prayagraj using a vehicle without number plates. He demanded immediate release of the students and suspension of all policemen and senior officers involved.

In a post on X, Mr. Yadav wrote: "For the information of the entire country: Very serious news. In the name of Prayagraj protest, many students have been picked up by a special team of UP Police in a vehicle without number plates. When the central government had promised that no action would be taken against any student, then at whose behest is this fraud being committed? Is the Uttar Pradesh police trying to prove the Prime Minister’s assurances and promises to be mere rhetoric? All the abducted students should be released immediately and all the policemen and senior officers involved in this illegal activity should be suspended and strictest action should be taken against them. The Hon’ble Court is requested to take immediate cognisance of the threat looming over the lives of these students."

Prayagraj police have registered two FIRs at the Civil Lines police station in connection with alleged vandalism of two SUVs and an attack during a student protest on Saturday. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Civil Lines, Vidyut Goyal told The Hindu: "Some anti-social elements entered the students’ protest, got involved in violence and damaged public and private property. We have identified 10 people through CCTV footage and arrested them; they were not at all students."

The police refute Mr. Yadav's claim that students were abducted, stating that those arrested were identified as anti-social elements involved in violence.