By Waris Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Western region of Uttar Pradesh, which is still recovering from large scale communal riots of September 2013, again simmered due to protest by Muslims over alleged misbehaviour with a group of Tableeghi Jamaat volunteers.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Shamli district.
As per reports reaching Lucknow, incidents of firing and arson have been reported from Kandhla and Shamli. Normal traffic has got affected on Delhi-Sahranpur route while police claims that situation is under control.
The issue began when a group of Jamaatis coming from Maharashtra were coming to Kandla by train last night. They were reportedly assaulted by some unidentified persons near Sujra village of Baghpat district. The Jamaat informed the people at Kandhla about the incident. Locals reached Kandhla police station and demanded actions against the culprits. They also announced to intensify their agitation if culprits were not nabbed.
On morning of Saturday, the issue once again was raised by locals. It is reported that Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hasan along with his supporters reached Kandhla-Budhana rail route and squatted demanding arresting of culprits. After assurance from district administration, the MLA got up and left the scene along with his supporters but a section of crowd refused to budge.
With no leader, there are reports of crowd pelting stones on some train at railway station. Meanwhile, police also resorted to lathicharge. Firing too has been reported which left three injured. Officials, however, did not confirm the firing.
Enraged protestors again reached the police station at Kandhla, demanding actions. With no assurance, it again got berserk and some vehicles at police station were torched. Around noon, police succeeded in controlling the situation.
Due to the incident, Delhi-Saharanpur has been affected. Realising the sensitivity of the matter, state government has rushed extra force with senior officials camping in Kandhla.