‘Sacrilege’ sparks trouble in Mubarakpur

VARANASI: Tension was palpable in Azamgarh’s Mubarakpur which witnessed arson and vandalism after a youth noticed religious texts on a paper plate at sweet shop in the town late Friday afternoon, police said. Locals ransacked the municipal council office, drove away its chairman, staged a demonstration and set afire the shop selling the paper plates. Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation.

Tension was palpable in Azamgarh’s Mubarakpur which witnessed arson and vandalism after a youth noticed religious texts on a paper plate at sweet shop in the town late Friday afternoon, police said.

Locals ransacked the municipal council office, drove away its chairman, staged a demonstration and set afire the shop selling the paper plates. Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation. According to the police, trouble began after the youth placed an order for chaat (snack) which was served to him in a paper plate on which noticed religious texts. He expressed his strong objection. As the news spread, locals gathered at the shop. Police questioned the sweet shop owner who claimed that he purchased plates from an old shop in Pura Rani Mohalla area. The seller of plates was brought to the police station.

District magistrate Suhas LY and SP DN Mishra, along with heavy police force, reached the spot. Police tried to pacify the locals. But they entered the municipal council office again and started ransacking it. Police resorted to a lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells, bringing the situation under control.