4 Injured In Clashes Over Collection Of Cow Dung, Another Dispute Reported Over 'Molestation Bid'

Police said the clash continued for nearly 30 minutes and stopped only after they intervened. They have taken 5 people into custody and more are being identified using videos recorded by locals.

Representational Image | In Meerut, a violent clash erupted between two communities. The incident was triggered by an alleged molestation and abduction attempt of a woman.

Source : PTI

A violent clash involving the exchange of fire and stone pelting erupted between members of two communities in Meharmati Ganeshpur village in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday evening. During the incident, five people have been detained and nearly a dozen individuals, including women, allegedly sustained injuries.

In order to resolve the escalating tensions, the police personnel from three stations reached the spot, and an adequate number of officials were deployed. Police confirmed that the trouble began after two men allegedly attempted to molest and abduct a 20-year-old woman belonging to another community on Sunday, according to a report by Indian Express.

Somehow, the woman freed herself and rushed to her home. She informed the complete incident to her parents. Following the information, her parents along with other members of the village highlighted the issue to the local panchayat where the culprits apologised to the family members of the woman.

Later, after a few hours, both the accused along with a group of men from the village charged into the house of the woman and fired bullets. In retaliation, the woman's side launched a counter-firing attack, resulting in injury to both ends, the police said.

“The clash continued for nearly 30 minutes and stopped only after the police intervened. We have taken five people into custody so far and more are being identified for arrest using videos recorded by local residents on their mobile phones. Adequate police force has been deployed in the village to ensure peace, " said Rakesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Meerut-Rural.

After the video of the incident went viral, the activists of the Bajrang Dal, led by district convenor Anuj Bajrangi, reached Sardhana police station. “We have demanded immediate arrest of all the culprits who attacked our innocent… brothers and sisters. We will hold… a mahapanchayat in the village if the police fail to arrest all those involved,” he said.

Four injured in clashes between groups in UP's Meerut

In a separate incident in UP's Meerut, a dispute over a child collecting dried cow dung in a village escalated into a violent clash between two communities, resulting in four people being injured, police said on Monday.  

The incident occurred on Sunday in Meharmati Ganeshpur village, located in the Sardhana area. Police have arrested one person in connection with the clash and registered cases against individuals from both groups involved.

Inspector Pratap Singh, the officer-in-charge of the Sardhana police station, told news agency PTI, "The dispute began over a trivial issue involving a child collecting dried cow dung. The situation quickly spiralled into a larger confrontation." Purported videos circulating on social media show the groups hurling stones at each other with several individuals brandishing sticks, firearms, and sharp weapons.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra stated, "Police responded immediately and registered a case based on a complaint from the aggrieved party. Nine individuals have been named in the FIR. One of them has been arrested and sent to judicial custody," Mishra said.

Singh further added that the suspects are being analyzed using the videos that have surfaced online. Police have also registered a 'suo motu' case against the people who were part of the incident.

Another incident also came to light on the same day from the Meerut, where a youth was reportedly beaten, stripped, and forced to chant Jai Shri Ram, his family alleged on Monday. However, cops have refuted the claim of stripping him and forcing him to chant adding that it prima facie appears to be a case of enmity.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday when Gulfam, a resident of Sofipur village in Pallavpuram, was returning home after practicing at a private shooting range in Mangal Pandey Nagar, according to his father, Aftab.  

Aftab alleged that three youths on a motorcycle took Gulfam to Victoria Park, where they assaulted him, stripped him, and forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram." They also reportedly stole his mobile phone.