Clash Erupts in Amroha After Stone-Pelting on Shivratri Pilgrims, Police Deployed
Tension gripped the Kotwali area of Amroha on Saturday night following a violent incident where a group of men allegedly pelted stones at pilgrims who were singing bhajans and dancing to DJ music near the Chhebra Bypass Shiva temple. The clash resulted in injuries to five individuals, including a police constable, and prompted a significant police response to restore order.
Details of the Incident
The devotees had just returned from Haridwar with Ganga water in preparation for Sunday's Maha Shivratri celebrations and were gathered inside the temple premises. Approximately 50 metres away, some youths from another community were celebrating a birthday party. According to reports, one of the men from the birthday party approached the devotees' camp and began recording videos. When the devotees confronted him, he called his friends from the celebration, who then allegedly started hurling stones at the pilgrims.
Someone immediately dialled 112, and a police team arrived swiftly at the scene to control the escalating clash. To disperse the mob and maintain law and order, police resorted to a lathi-charge. In the ensuing violence, Constable Shoaib Raza Khan suffered a head injury, while devotees Vidya Devi, Chandrashekhar, Shikhar, and another man were also injured. All the injured were promptly admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police Response and Arrests
Following the clash, angry locals gathered at the police station, demanding the arrest of the culprits. Police seized a scooter from the spot as part of their investigation. Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Anand addressed the situation, stating, "A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. The situation is under control, and all religious rituals were performed peacefully on Sunday."
He further added, "A case has been filed against the accused under relevant BNS sections, and three accused have been arrested. One of them, who called himself a reporter, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. The other accused people will be arrested soon." This swift action by the police aims to prevent any further unrest and ensure community safety.
Community Impact and Aftermath
The incident has raised concerns about communal harmony in the region, especially during religious festivals like Maha Shivratri. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any recurrence of violence. The deployment of additional police forces underscores the commitment to upholding law and order, while the arrests signal a firm stance against such disruptive acts.
As investigations continue, the community hopes for a peaceful resolution and stricter measures to safeguard religious gatherings in the future.
