The Ghaziabad police have arrested twenty-one people belonging to Hindu Raksha Dal on Sunday for unlawfully taking out a religious procession with an intent to breach the peace.
Also, a FIR has been registered.
The workers of the fringe group allegedly vandalised government vehicles and manhandled the policemen after they were denied permission to take out a road show in Ghaziabad.
"A FIR has been registered against over hundred members of the group in Sahibabad Police station. The workers were intercepting with the police team while carrying out a procession of Hanuman Chhati (six days after hanuman jayanti) without permission from the administration. The road show was intended as a part of the celebration.
The number of vehicles brought for the road show included nearly 120 motorcycles, 40 cars, two DJ vans and a number of tractor-trolleys" said senior police officials.
On the basis of local intelligence inputs about the group's activities planned on Sunday, the police and district administration officials also reached the spot and tried to disperse the crowd.
"We asked them to take permission from the administration before going ahead with their meeting and the rally. The group dispersed saying their members would either go to their local office in Tulsi Niketan or to a local bhandara.
However, they began a protest near their office with slogans. A group surrounded the Indirapuram SHO and manhandled him and his uniform was torn. Some members also hit out at cops who were trying to pacify the mob. Soon, stone-pelting followed. I sustained an injury on my ankle from a flying stone," additional city magistrate, Sunil Singh.
According to SP, Ghaziabad, Salman Taj Patil, the cops soon baton-charged the crowd to control the violent situation.
"A FIR has been registered against more than 100 workers under IPC sections for rioting, attempt to murder, causing hindrance in official work and other related offences under criminal law amendment act.
Police are identifying other workers who were involved in the episode and nab them" said Patil.