UP: Protests and scuffles during Muharram processions; several detained, 1 injured

Kushinagar/Bareilly/Bahraich (UP): Some people were detained and a boy was injured in incidents related to Muharram processions in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, police said.

People had a run-in with police in Bahraich, alleging that some officers insulted Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran and a Shia cleric, while traders in Bareilly held a sit-in after a platform set up for a Muharram procession was allegedly vandalised.

In Kushinagar, an Islamic flag was allegedly hoisted and slogans were raised while a Muharram procession was passing a Shiva temple, they said.

Police said some people posted a purported video of the incident on social media, further escalating tensions. The alleged incident happened near Gulharia in the Khadda police station area in Kushinagar.

Khadda Station House Officer (SHO) Harshvardhan Singh said some youths were taken into custody in connection with this incident.

In Tekuatar Bazaar, an altercation over DJ music escalated to a ruckus between two groups, in which one Iklakh (8) sustained a head injury. He is currently receiving medical treatment.

Ramkola SHO Anand Gupta confirmed that police have brought the situation under control and some people have been detained.

Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Mishra said that police forces have been deployed at both locations to ensure the situation remains under control.

Police in Kushinagar said they were both small disputes but adequate forces have been stationed at both places to maintain peace.

A dispute erupted in Bahraich's Nanpara Kotwali area, where people participating in the Muharram procession alleged that a policeman hit a poster of Shia religious leader Khamenei with a stick and then removed it.

They alleged that he called Khamenei and those at the procession "terrorists".

Protesters briefly halted the procession but later resumed after police and other officials intervened and assured action. Police officials claimed, "The matter has been resolved. The procession is being carried out peacefully." In a purported video that surfaced online, people at the procession demanded the police officer's suspension. "My leader, Khamenei sahab, was called a terrorist. Are these terrorists?" a youth said in the clip.

In Bareilly, tensions rose after a platform set up near the spot where the 'taziya' is to be placed was allegedly vandalised. Angry traders shut down shops and protested on the streets.

Police arrived to calm the situation and registered a case.

Traders, however, sat on a sit-in, demanding the arrest of the culprits and warning they would not allow the 'taziyas' to be moved until arrests were made.

Senior officials assured traders of action and arrests.

"Police registered a case and took immediate action, detaining two women and three other accused, after which the traders calmed down, " Additional SP North Anshika Verma said.

"The incident reportedly occurred late Saturday night in Faridpur's Mohalla Sahukara, where miscreants allegedly damaged the platform and attempted to break the shutter of a shop, where the 'taziya' was to be placed," Verma said.

Some traders saw CCTVs of the alleged vandalism and the situation escalated Sunday morning. The 'taziyas' were only moved after assurances of action from senior officials, Verma added.