By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: Local MP Mohammad Azharuddin and Samjwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav are expected to visit the violence-hit Moradabad today. Large scale arson has been reported from Moradabad over alleged desecration of Holy Quran by policemen in a village at the outskirts of Moradabad on Wednesday. In a flash protest over the incident hundreds of villagers lodged strong protest in which the jeep of SHO Mainakhera was also torched. However, police claimed that the violence has erupted following the alleged molestation of some women by the cops led to violence in Moradabad.
As per reports, police had reached the village in search of an accused over some trivial eve teasing issue. It is reported that police misbehaved with the family members and even desecrated the Holy Quran. This led to anger and resentment in the whole village. Hundreds of villagers gathered at the spot and asked the policemen to apologise. However, the policemen tried to use force which further infuriated the villagers. Later they chased them away however the policemen returned with huge force in short while. This time pitched battle was fought in which people from both sides were injured. It is also reported that a jeep of SHO Mainakhera was also torched during the clash. The situation is tense while heavy force has been deployed in the area.
On the other hand, police officials stated that police was removing some protestors who had blocked the Delhi-Moradabad highway in their protest over poor civic amenities. It is stated that there was alleged molestation by some policemen which spilled in form of anger. They also attacked the police officers in which a dozen cops which included DIG/SSP of Moradabad, Ashok Kumar Singh were seriously injured and shifted to District Hospital. The situation could be only brought under control after heavy police force which included two companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary rushed to the spot and used force to chase away the trouble shooters. To save Ashok Kumar, the cops present there even opened fire in air to disperse the crowd. Later only after heavy police force reached the spot the situation could be brought under control. SP City, Balwant Rai, when contacted he said that they assured the villagers that they will look into their charges and if the cops were found guilty of misbehaving with the females than appropriate action will be taken. He also confirmed that they lodged case against unknown persons for damaging government property and attacking the police officials on duty in connection with the violence.
IG (crime), GP Sharma, which addressing media persons here on Wednesday evening confirmed of the above incident and claimed that senior officers were present at the spot and were monitoring the situation. He said that the condition was completely under control.