Prohibitory orders in Moradabad following communal clashes

The rural belts of the district remained tense as markets, schools and other institutions remained closed and residents preferred to stay at home. Huge police force along with Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RPF) has been deployed to avert any untoward incident. On Saturday, a woman alleged molestation by a youth from another community in a busy market area. The situation deteriorated when angry mob set fire to vehicles at the premises of Katghar police station after the police refused to register a complaint against the accused.

When news of the molestation spread in the region, hundreds of people from the Hindu community gathered at the police station demanding FIR against the accused and his immediate arrest. As the police refused to conduct a medical test of the victim and register complaint, people started protesting. The protest later turned violent. Hooligans set vehicles on fire. The mob also targeted the Superintendent of Police (Rural) and vandalised his vehicle. Senior police officials rushed the spot to control the situation but incident of firing and minor clashes were reported through the night.

The protesters claimed that the woman, who had gone to a nearby market with her son and other family members, was not only molested but injured badly by the accused after she thwarted his advances. “It was a pre-planned move to target the woman. After she resisted, he attacked her with a sharp weapon. Shockingly, the police shielded the accused instead of taking action,” said an angry protester.

Witnessing growing anger among people, the police registered a case against the accused Bhura and arrested him later. Moradabad’s DIG, Gulab Singh, said the situation is now under control but police is on alert to maintain peace in the region. Section 144 has also been imposed. “We have taken all possible measures and no incident has been reported since Sunday morning,” said Singh.

It would be important to recall that tension had gripped neighbouring Kanth town two months back when violent clashes between BJP workers and police had taken place after the district administration prevented BJP leaders and religious persons from holding a mahapanchayat against the removal of loudspeakers from a temple. Scores of people including the District Magistrate had suffered injuries during the clashes and police had imposed Section 144 to thwart any possible attempt to vitiate the atmosphere.