The ongoing standoff between Radha Swami Satsang Sabha devotees and local law enforcement has left the community in a state of tension since Saturday.
In a startling and escalating series of events, a group of devotees took a confrontational stance against law enforcement teams tasked with removing illegal encroachments in Agra's Dayalbagh area. The situation quickly spiraled into chaos as devotees brandished sticks and rods, leading to a tense standoff that left onlookers in a state of panic.
In response to the unruly crowd, the police had no choice but to employ lathicharge tactics to disperse the agitated devotees and restore order. As a result of this confrontation, authorities temporarily blocked the road leading to Dayalbagh, diverting traffic and causing significant congestion in the Bhagwan Talkies area, as reported by The Press Free Journal.
Addressing the media, the Agra City Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) explained, "The Revenue Department sought police assistance to dismantle illegal encroachments. Upon our arrival, some individuals obstructed our operation, resulting in injuries to several officers. Despite our attempts to engage in dialogue, communication was refused. After discussions between the Revenue Department and the police, it was decided to grant the devotees a reasonable opportunity to present their perspective before a final decision is made."
The ongoing standoff between Radha Swami Satsang Sabha devotees and local law enforcement has left the community in a state of tension since Saturday. To provide context, authorities initially used bulldozers to remove illegal encroachments placed by the devotees. Later that night, the devotees once again blocked a road leading to the DIA Engineering College, causing further disruption. This drew a substantial number of devotees to the scene.
After authorities departed, the devotees reblocked the road, and the situation escalated as they targeted a local villager and a student attempting to pass through. Sharp iron wires were used to create barricades in Khaspur, and in the evening, a significant number of devotees, equipped with sticks and helmets, forced villagers to seek refuge in their homes. Strikingly, there was no police or administrative presence to maintain law and order during these events.