TENSION GRIPS SAADATGANJ AREA AFTER CALF BEATEN TO DEATH
VOLUNTEERS OF HINDU OUTFITS IN MUGHAL SARAI LOCALITY IN SAADATGANJ THREATENED AN AGITATION IF THE ACCUSED WERE NOT ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY
Tension gripped the Old City on Sunday afternoon, after three youths allegedly killed a calf.
The youths from the minority community allegedly beat up a local goldsmith too when he opposed their act and tried to save the animal . Hundreds of volunteers of Hindu outfits, who gathered in the Muslim-dominated Mughal Sarai locality in Saadatganj, threatened an agitation if the accused were not arrested immediately. The locality turned into a fortress as heavy police force was deployed and senior police officials camped in the area to defuse the trouble and avert any further clash.
Late in the night there were reports of stone pelting by a mob on the police who had gone there to maintain order.
Tension gripped the Old City on Sunday afternoon, after three youths allegedly killed a calf. The three youths from the minority community allegedly beat up a local goldsmith too when he opposed their act and tried to save the animal .
Hundreds of volunteers of Hindu outfits, who gathered in the minority-dominated Mughal Sarai locality in Saadatganj, threatened an agitation if the accused were not arrested immediately.
The locality turned into a fortress as heavy police force was deployed and senior police officials camped in the area to defuse the trouble and avert any further clash.
The incident assumes significance as protection of cows is among the priorities of the Aditya Nath government in Uttar Pradesh. The chief minister has already issued stern directives to state police officials regarding protection of cows and checking cow slaughter. A local gold smith and eyewitness Ankit Verma told the cops that the incident took place at around 4pm when he spotted three youths, including one Atiq and his two brothers, beating the calf brutally.
He said the calf entered into the alley of adjoining Gopal market, mainly known for gold work, and slumped on the ground. He said the youths chased the calf and even beat him up when he tried to save the animal.
He said he immediately called some of his friends and alerted police.
However, in the meantime, the youths fled while the calf succumbed to injuries, he said.
The news spread like a wild fire in the locality following which hundreds of locals and people from Hindu and cow protection outfits gathered on the spot. The Hindu outfits’ workers started raising slogans that added to the tension in the locality.
Inspector general (IG) of police, Lucknow Zone, A Satish Ganesh said the calf carcass was immediately removed with the help of Lucknow Municipal Corporation employees but tension brewed in the locality till late night.
He said heavy police force had been deployed to avert further trouble and additional SP (West) Jai Prakash and two circle officers were told to camp in the area to keep a watch on every development, as a little negligence might trigger a major incident.
Circle officer of Bazarkhala Alok Singh said an FIR under Indian Penal Code section 429 for causing mischief by killing or maiming cattle and section 11 of Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act had been registered against Atiq, his two brothers and other unidentified people. He said raids were on for arrest of the named accused as they were missing from their houses.
The FIR has been registered on the complaint of Prem Shankar Gupta, an office-bearer of a Hindu outfit.