Meerut violence: One more held

MEERUT :One more accused was arrested in connection with the violence and arson that took place at Bhusa Mandi area of Meerut on February 6.

Raids were being conducted to arrest another 15 accused persons, who are still at large, said a police official on Saturday.

SP (city) Akhilesh Narayan Singh said that one person, Hamid, was arrested soon after the incident on February 6 while another person, Ishtiaq, involved in the incident, was arrested on Saturday.

“Police teams are conducting raids to nab all the remaining 15 accused. Total 17 people were identified after scanning of video footages and photos of the violence. We have announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 on each accused and they will be booked under National Security Act (NSA),” the SP said.

On February 6, residents of Bhusa Mandi locality had allegedly attacked police personnel and a team of cantonment board after they demolished an unauthorised construction of one Raheesu in the area.

Meanwhile, some unidentified persons set a thatched hut on fire which soon spread in the entire locality and gutted over 100 huts.

Residents of Bhusa Mandi then accused Cantt board team for torching their huts.

However, police denied the charges and accused some unidentified persons for the arson to give it communal colour.

According Sadar station house officer (SHO), Vijay Gupta, three police personnel were injured in the incident.

“Two FIRs were lodged against residents of Bhusa Mandi after violence on February 6 and a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the incident by district magistrate, Anil Dhingra,” he said.

Police said that situation was now under control though additional police force had been deployed in the area in order to prevent further clashes and maintain law and order.