Several persons, including policemen, were injured when an eve-teasing incident led to a communal clash in Shamli while a similar clash was reported from Bahraich over installing an idol of Goddess Durga.
As per reports, some youths of a particularly community were teasing girl students in Bawana hamlet of Budhana in Shamli on Thursday. After being molested, some victims complained to the police and the cops reached there to nab the youths.
However, when the cops tried to nab the eve-teasers, members of their community gathered at the spot and pelted stones, injuring five cops, and chased away the police party. They also roughed up the family members of the girls for daring to complain against their sons.
As the news of the assault on girls’ family spread, members of the other community also converged on the scene and soon there was a free for all.
Both the sides threw stones and fought a pitched battle with the police. The mob also torched several police vehicles, including that of a circle officer.
The situation could be controlled only after police reinforcement reached the spot and chased away the trouble-makers.
A case was registered against 100 persons under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Seven people were also booked for beating the victims’ family members.
Security has been tightened and additional police force has been deployed in the area.
Meanwhile, in Sisaye Salon area of Bahraich, half a dozen cops were injured when they tried to intervene in a clash between members of two communities over installing an idol of Goddess Durga in the locality on Wednesday night.
Reports said that members of a community objected to the installation of an idol of Goddess Durga and this led to a clash between the two communities in which both sided attacked each other with bricks.
When the police intervened, the warring groups attacked them too. Six policemen — two sub-inspectors and four constables — were injured in the incident.
The police registered cases against 290 people from both communities, naming 40 of them. A total of 15 persons were later arrested and additional force was deployed in the area.
The situation was said to be under control.
District Magistrate Mala Srivastava and Superintendent of Police Sabharaj Singh also visited the area.
Orders were issued earlier against installation of idols, especially at disputed places, without permission, according to additional superintendent of police (rural) Ravindra Kumar Singh