Communal clashes in western UP again

Parts of western Uttar Pradesh were on the boil once again following communal clashes in Meerut and Hapur districts on Friday.

Trouble sparked in Bahadurgarh village of Hapur after a teenager was allegedly molested by three youths belonging to a particular community. The youths also thrashed a boy, who opposed them.

As news of the molestation spread, a huge mob gathered and pelted stones at the houses of the suspects. People also assaulted two members of a particular community who were passing by the area.

Over two dozen people, including some cops, were injured in the clashes as people pelted stones and even fired at each other, according to official sources here.

While a place of worship was desecrated, several shops and vehicles were set ablaze, sources said. At least 20 shops were either damaged or torched by the warring mobs.

Additional police personnel from the adjoining districts rushed to the spot to control the situation. Section 144 was promulgated and security personnel had been deployed in strength to maintain order, sources said.

In another communal flare-up at Mahalgaon village in Meerut district, 10 people sustained injuries. Here also, it was an alleged incident of eve-teasing that led to the violence. Ten people have been arrested in this connection, police said.

Recently, three people were killed and several injured in the communal violence in Saharanpur.

Meanwhile, tension persists in Faizabad, where a Class XII student had allegedly been gang-raped and killed with her body being dumped on the highway by members of a particular community a few days ago. A police outpost and several shops had been torched by a mob protesting against police laxity in the case.