Shahjahanpur: Tensions over charges of forced entry into shrine; cross-FIRs filed

According to police sources, the department received a report Thursday morning that several villagers had gathered at the mazar and placed a Shivling there.

“They allegedly demolished the boundary wall of the mazar (shrine)… Upon receiving information, police officials rushed to the scene and attempted to resolve the issue peacefully,” one police source said, adding that additional security had to be called in to bring the situation under control.

According to the sources, the dispute began when the mazar was built some 10 years ago. When local Hindus allegedly objected to it, it was mutually agreed on by the two groups that the mazar land would not be used for religious activities, sources said.

Although the dispute has been simmering for years, the latest round of trouble allegedly began on September 16, when some locals claimed that the mazar was “illuminated” in violation of this agreement.

Two days later, the shrine was allegedly vandalised and a Shivling placed inside, the sources said.

Cross-FIRs have been registered based on allegations from both groups. In his complaint, a local resident, Riyasuddin, accuses a local temple priest, Mewa Ram, and some unidentified people of breaking into the mazar and damaging it.

This FIR, filed on September 18, was registered under Section 298 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Meanwhile, a cross-FIR registered on September 19 at the priest’s instance accuses the other group of gaining forced entry into the disputed area, breaking the Shivling and illegally trying to renovate the mazar.

This FIR, registered against 95 people – including Riyasuddin – is under sections 191 (rioting), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 196 (promoting enmity between different group), 298 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class), 310 (2) (dacoity) and 324 (mischief) of the BNS.

“When I objected, the accused attacked and threatened me. They also opened fire on me. A large crowd gathered after learning of the incident, and the Shivling was reinstalled,” Mewa Ram told The Indian Express, alleging that his life was “under serious threat”.

Riyasuddin could not be contacted for a comment.

Meanwhile, police sources said the disputed area has now been fenced off and status quo has been restored.

According to Circle Officer Pankaj Pant, the administration is examining land records to determine whom the land belongs to. “Police have been deployed at the site to ensure that no untoward incidents occur,” he said, adding that investigation was ongoing and that no arrests had been made in either case.