Uttar Pradesh: Violence in Bulandshahr over cow slaughter, two killed

Violence broke out in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, December 3, over alleged illegal slaughter of cattle, leaving a police inspector and a youth dead as a mob went on a rampage torching a police post and clashed with police, which opened fire to control the situation, officials said.

Additional Director General of Meerut zone Prashant Kumar said the protesters from Mahaw village and nearby areas pelted stones on the police and indulged in arson setting several vehicles and the Chingarwathi Police Chowki on fire.

Inspector Subodh Kumar, who was posted at the Syana Police Station, died in the violence, he said, but did not elaborate.

Police said a 20-year-old youth, identified as Sumit died of gunshot wounds.

The trouble started after villagers found some body parts of cow and its progeny in a jungle in Mahaw village, the ADG said.

Senior police officials rushed to the crime scene to contain the violence, which threatened peace in the entire region.

According to information, members of several Hindu groups with an alleged cow carcass gathered on the Bulandshahr-Syana road and pelted stones at the police personnel.

The Hindu Yuva Vahini and Bajrang Dal activists also vandalized vehicles and attacked police officials. They torched several passing vehicles. They raised slogans against the police administration and blocked the Bulandshahr-Garh highway.

In the violence, Inspector Subodh Singh of Syana police station and four constables were injured. The profusely bleeding inspector was rushed to the Aurangabad community health centre (CHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha said police and senior officials tried to reason with the protestors but they refused to budge. He confirmed the death of the police officer.

As Sub-divisional Magistrate Avinash Kumar Maurya arrived on the scene, protesters turned violent, pelting stones on policemen and indulging in arson.

District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha said police had to open fire in self-defence.

Meerut Divisional Commissioner Aneeta C Meshram said she was rushing to the spot to take stock of the situation.