One person was arrested and two police personnel suspended after a mob of about 50-60 people vandalised a madrasa and pulled down its boundary wall, in Fatehpur district’s Behta village on Tuesday, 16 July, after the carcass of a cow was found near a pond.
“There was a report of cow slaughter on Monday night. On Tuesday, around 9 am, a mob from the village gathered and vandalised a madrasa. Nobody was present inside so no injury has been reported. The mob also set ablaze some things that were dumped near its gate. The police teams rushed to the spot and were able to control the situation.”Fatehpur SP, Ramesh, told The Quint
SP Ramesh said prima facie police negligence has been identified in the incident, PTI reported. Station House Officer of Bindki Kotwali, Tej Bahadur Singh, and police outpost incharge, Sub Inspector Umesh Patel have been suspended, he confirmed.
A case has been registered against 60 persons, of whom one has been arrested.
He also added that the sample of the meat which led to rumours has been sent for testing to ascertain whether or not it was beef.
WHAT HAPPENED
After residents claimed that cow slaughter had taken place in the village, and news spread, people from several villages gathered and vandalised the madrasa.
Villagers have also alleged that the police had knowledge of a communally sensitive situation brewing in the village but did not take any action to prevent it.
Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel have been deployed in the village as a precautionary measure.
SP Ramesh had earlier told The Quint that the situation was calm after a meeting with the peace-committee was held.
(With inputs from PTI)
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