By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: Sectarian violence erupted between Shia and Sunni sects of muslims during Madhe Sahaba (praising the companions of the Prophet) procession in old city of Lucknow on Saturday. Heavy police force was rushed to the situation which saved the things from getting worse. Flag march was conducted in the affected areas of Nakhas, Pata Nala and Bajaja while administration stated that a case will be registered against unidentified youths.
As per the tripartite agreement on 1999 the sunni sect took out their Madhe Sahaba procession in Lucknow on Saturday. For participating in the procession hundreds of anjumans from Lucknow and other adjoining districts reached Jhande Walan park in Aminabad. The procession later culminated at Aishbagh Eidgah where it was addressed by several muslim clerics including Naib Imam Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli.
Police on guard in Lucknkow
However while returning from the AIshbagh Eidgah some youths from other community passed remarks on an anjuman of Hussainabad. When objected they started pelting stones making things worse. Soon other anjumans also joined the protest while heavy police force rushed to control the situation. “We were returning with our flag well folded even then they targetted us,” said a member of anjuman.
Police staged flag march to control the situation. “We will register a case of breach of peace against unidentified persons,” said ASP Paresh Pandey. He however denied any injuries or stone pelting incidents. On the other hand Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli terming the incident as sad denied it as a shia-sunni clash. “Our juloos was over and their was no reason for tussle. It was the handiwork of some misguided youths standing near Victoria Street who passed comments and later tried to flare it up as sectarian clash,” he said.
UP Police patrolling the street of Lucknow