When police officers in Mathura moved to evict thousands of members of a sect from a public park, they were attacked with swords, knives, guns and grenades. The police then opened fire.
Mukul Dwivedi, Superintendent of Police, who was leading the eviction drive last evening, was hit on the head with a stone. He died in hospital after three heart attacks, said sources. His colleague, Santosh Kumar Yadav, was shot in the head.
22 others were killed in the massive riot, all of them members of the sect.
Huge cache of arms recovered in Mathura
The chief minister, however, assured that strictest action will be taken against the encroachers.
The clearance operation was launched after authorities won a court order to remove hundreds of tents and makeshift wooden structures from a 260-acre plot occupied by the sect since late 2014. After the sect launched its massive attack, nearly 1,000 police men tried to regain control.
The area - the public park of Jawaharbagh - has been sealed off after violent clashes in Mathura
In postings on social media, Swadhin Bharat Vidhik Satyagrah's followers describe themselves as political and social revolutionaries. Their demands include the abolition of elections and cheaper fuel for everyone.
"We were aware they had arms and ammunition. Did not expect they would fire at us," Mr Ahmed told reporters.
The sect members opened fire from automatic weapons after taking position on tree tops, said District Magistate Rajesh Kumar. The area was filled with smoke following explosions from hand grenades and LPG cylinders and several huts caught fire, he described.
Mukul Dwivedi (left), Superintendent of Police and his colleague, Santosh Kumar Yadav (right), who were killed in violence.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has offered all assistance from the centre to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who has ordered an inquiry into the fatal clash.
Amid Bangladesh Turmoil, Akhilesh Yadav's 'Foreign Policy' Advice To Centre Akhilesh Yadav vs Amit Shah In Lok Sabha On Speaker's Powers "Bhartiya Zameen Party...": Akhilesh Yadav's Swipe At BJP Over Waqf Bill Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Mahindra Thar Roxx's Bookings Start From Oct 3, Deliveries By Dussehra Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel 'He Agreed To Disney+ Terms': Disney After Man Sues It For Wife's Death US Lags Behind In Fight Against Child Marriage: 300,000 Cases Since 2000 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.