Skirmishes lead to communal tension in Meerut, Muz’nagar

Two skirmishes over the last couple of days in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar led to several people getting injured and resulted in communal tension in the cities. Police have registered cases against troublemakers and raids are being conducted to nab them.

The first incident occurred at Khadarwala in Muzaffarnagar on Friday night when members of two communities clashed with each other following a motorcycle accident. Supporters of both groups pelted stones and fired at each other.

The situation was brought under control after heavy police force arrived at the place. Later, a case was lodged against the motorcyclists and 200 other unidentified people.

“Timely intervention of police prevented the situation from deteriorating. Raids are being conducted to nab the troublemakers,” said a cop.

The second incident took place in the old city area of Meerut on Saturday afternoon. Members of two communities confronted each other after a group of youngsters from one side allegedly passed objectionable comments on girls from the Balmiki community. The girls’ family members objected and the situation was brought under control after the intervention of elderly people from both the sides.

However, later the boys who had passed comments, returned to the spot with their friends and attacked the Balmikis. A law student, Shiva, sustained bullet injuries and over a dozen people from both sides were injured in the clash. A group of workers of BJP and other pro-Hindu organisations demonstrated at the Kowali under the leadership of party leader Laxmikant Bajpai. They blamed the police for failing to control criminals and warned that they would launch an agitation if the culprits were not caught. SP (city) Alok Priyadarshi said that two accused had already been nabbed and raids were being conducted to arrest the others.