In tinderbox Uttar Pradesh, any reason good enough for a clash

The mob set the kiosk on fire just as the deputy SP arrived at the spot upon receiving reports that a calf has been killed.

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Heavy police force led by district magistrate and SP had to struggle for over two hours to control the rioting mob. While the police have arrested the vendor, identified as 30-year-old Mohammad Shamim, they have also arrested 11 from the rioting mob of Hindu men.

Significantly, the police have captured the incident in their cell phones which will help them identify the persons involved in the arson, said DIG, Chitrakoot Dham Range, Gyaneshwar Tiwari.

Police force including PAC have been deployed in the area to maintain peace, even as shops in the town have been closed until the situation turns normal, police said.

Circle Officer, Mahoba (City), G P Yadav said their preliminary investigation has revealed that Shamim stabbed the calf which was eating the vegetables at his kiosk, resulting in the calf’s death on the spot. As the news spread, men from Hindu community arrived there and began protesting. In the middle of the protest, someone set Shamim’s kiosk on fire, Yadav said, adding the flames engulfed other kiosks nearby.

Station House Officer, Kulpahar Police Station, Abdul Razzak said two FIRs have been registered and 12 persons have been arrested. In the rioting incident, 12 named persons and 70 unidentified have been booked, the SHO added.

While the FIR against Shamim and two other unidentified persons was lodged by constable Ram Asrey under Cow Slaughter Act and Animal Cruelty Act, the second FIR has been registered into the incident of arson.