At least 10 police officers were injured after Kans mela devotees pelted stones at them for allegedly stopping their procession from passing through a Muslim locality in Hamirpur’s Maudaha town in Uttar Pradesh on the night of Monday, 24 September.
An FIR has been lodged against 300 unidentified and 22 identified people, and 14 arrests have been made so far.
Additional superintendent of police, Hamirpur, Lal Sahab Yadav, was also injured in the incident. The clashes broke out after the pre-decided plan of procession not entering the Muslim locality was not followed by the participants.
While talking to The Indian Express, Raj Kumar Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Maudaha police station, said”
“On the second day (Monday), people insisted that the procession be taken through a Muslim locality. Since processions are not taken out from those localities, we did not allow them. Hence, it was not taken out Monday. A series of meetings was held between officials of administration and police and participants of the procession. On Monday evening, the participants decided not to take the procession through the Muslim locality. Hence, we allowed them to take it out Tuesday.”Raj Kumar Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Maudaha police station to Indian Express
Before the procession on Tuesday, heavy police force was deployed at Maudaha town. Police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas to control the situation.
The incident took place near Devi Chauraha when the organisers and their supporters announced the procession would pass through Imambara Road.
In an interview to News18, OP Singh, state police chief, confirmed that the situation is under control and extra force was rushed to the spot to keep a check on the situation.
All shops in the area have been shut down and security forces are prepared to handle the situation.
(With inputs from The Indian Express and News18)
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