Communal tension prevailed in Balia after agitated with the killing of a Dalit youth, local villagers went on rampage setting ablaze a religious place along with houses of a particularly community on Tuesday night.
The protesters also fought pitch battle with the cops who went to defuse the situation. Over two dozen persons including policemen were injured in the incident. Heavy police force along with one platoon of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), were camping at the spot. DIG of Azamgarh range, Prashant Kumar and district police chief of Balia, Raju Babu Singh also visited the spot and claimed to be keeping a close watch on the situation so that no further violence took in the matter. Cases were also registered in connection with the arson and attack but so far no one was arrested. However, in connection with the killing three youths including a local Samajwadi Party leader was arrested.
According to reports, one Dalit youth identified as Neeraj (18), a resident of Belthra Road was forcibly taken by three motorcycle borne youths belonging to a particular community on Tuesday evening. The incident took place when Neeraj was standing near a sweet shop at Jebipur New Colony of Balia. The news of kidnapping of Neeraj went like a wild fire and within hour, hundred of members of his community gathered demanding action against the criminals. However, the situation took an ugly turn when later in the night, the body of Neeraj found lying in pool of blood. He was brutally stabbed to death by the accused.
Reports further said that this further irked the public and they went on rampage setting ablaze a religious place along with half a dozen houses and business establishments belonging to the same community. When the cops rushed and tried to control the situation, the mob also targeted them and pelted stones and other items. Finding the situation turning for a worse turn as some members of the other community also took road, senior police officers used force to disperse the crowd. later to further cool down the anger of the Dalit community, local police on basis of complaint handed over to them by Neeraj’s father had registered a case against 8 persons which also included the name of local Samajwadi Party leader, Saddam, Sheikh Ejazuddin and Kamran. They were also arrested by the police in connection with the murder. Meanwhile some protesters also blocked Gorakhpur-Balia highway to press their demand of more stern action against the accused who were involved in the killing.