Music during religious procession triggers clash in UP, 1 killed

According to police sources, the clashes began after members of the minority community allegedly asked the music to be turned off as the religious procession was passing through a Muslim neighbourhood.

Taking serious note of the clash, CM Yogi Adityanath said those responsible for causing disturbances would not be spared. He also said that strict action would be taken against the administrative and police officers whose “negligence” contributed to the incident.

“A heated argument began over the playing of DJ that escalated, leading to a clash and stone-pelting between the two groups. The situation took an ugly turn when people allegedly opened fire in which a resident of the area, identified as Ram Gopal Mishra, sustained a bullet wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries,” said an official. SHO Suresh Kumar Verma, said they are yet to confirm the sequence of events that led to the death of the youth with a bullet wound.

Following the death of the youth, an angry mob set fire to vehicles, shops, and houses in the area. Senior police and administrative officials reached the spot and the body was sent for a postmortem, an official said.

A group gathered outside the district hospital refused to conduct the final rites of the youth demanding action against the accused.

Meanwhile, people also refused to immerse Durga idols in the district until those involved in the killing were arrested.