Eight injured as kanwarias and villagers clash in Bareilly district

BAREILLY: At least eight people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes between kanwarias and residents of allegedly Muslim-dominated Khelam village in Aonla on Friday evening. The injured were taken to hospital and additional force was deployed in the area.

To note, though the kanwar yatra concluded on Sawan Shivratri on Friday, some devotees are still offering ‘Gangajal’ to Lord Shiva here.

A case has been registered against 250 people and the district administration has issued prohibitory orders in the area.

Reports said a skirmish took place when a group of villagers, allegedly Muslim, stopped a group of kanwarias from passing through the village. “The first skirmish was reported at around 7 pm in which a couple of kanwarias were injured,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP), Bareilly Joginder Kumar.

Later, there was an argument over use of loud music, leading to the clash. Reportedly, the villagers pelted the Kanwarias with stones from their roof tops.

However, more kanwarias on their way to Kachala also gathered on the spot and became involved. People of both sides were injured, including a police team deployed there to maintain law and order. “Two constables and an S-I of nearby police post received injuries,” the SSP said.

Additional police force and units of central armed police forces which were rushed to the area used mild force to quell the clashing groups. The SSP, district magistrate and other officials held peace meetings with both sides, , asking the locals to ensure peace.

Meanwhile, four people have been arrested . The SSP has also suspended SHO of Aliganj police station for failing to ensure peace, and sought a written clarification from him.