Cops tense over simmering unrest in west UP

Simmering unrest in various districts of western Uttar Pradesh, which saw many violent incidents during the past two months, has left officials tense. Intelligence inputs, which indicated ‘volatile’ situation in the districts, have added to their worries.

A source in the police said that though things appeared normal, the reality was entirely different. In some villages of various districts, including Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar, tension was brewing up and the residents were restive. As a result, fights over trivial issues took ugly turns. Bhumma village in Muzaffarnagar district remained tense on June 29, people of one community shot dead a youth of the other community over personnel enmity. Soon, the incident led to communal tension. Police somehow controlled the situation and quelled the mob.

Rampur Maniharan village of Saharanpur witnessed tension after an alleged incident of eve teasing around a week back. Police strived hard to bring the situation under control. Normalcy is yet to return to the village and the situation remains tricky.

Bulandshahar remained tense on June 25 after the youth of one community allegedly teased a girl of another community when she was returning home.

Bijnore witnessed tension on June 24. An objectionable comment on WhatsApp led to tension in Nawabganj town of Bareilly on May 11. Members of a community gathered at the police station and demanded arrest of the accused. They were pacified only after his arrest. “We respond to trivial issues and take action immediately to maintain peace,” said a senior police officer, pleading anonymity. He added that the intelligence inputs also indicated a ‘volatile’ situation.

Sources said, “Intelligence agencies have been put on high alert in western UP. Agencies seriously keep an eye on incidents caused by ‘misuse’ of cyber or new media as objectionable posts led to tension in several cases in the recent past.”

An officer said serious efforts were required to check ‘misuse’ of WhatsApp.