Hindutva cow vigilantes launch violent agitation in UP; cop among two killed, dozens injured

Bulandshahr (UP), Dec 3: Two persons including a police inspector were killed and dozens of others suffered injuries during a mob violence ignited by self-proclaimed saviors of Hindutva in the name of cow in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh today.

The deceased cop, Subodh Kumar Singh, was posted at the Syana Kotwali in Bulandshahr.

Mob assembled around a police outpost in Syana area after alleged recovery of animal bones, similar to that of a cow, from a sugarcane field. The mob later began attacking the outpost, which led to the death of Subodh Singh, the station in charge. The violent mob, which allegedly included BJP workers, opened fire and pelted stones on the cops besides torching dozens of vehicles.

Several policemen and protesters were also injured and were admitted to nearby hospitals. In addition, some police vans and other private vehicles were torched by the angry protesters.

According to the police, certain right wing groups along with locals protesting against the cow slaughter went on a rampage and attacked the Chingrawati police outpost, approximately 150 kms from the national capital, in Bulandshahr city.

A protester, Sumit Kumar, was injured in firing and was rushed to a hospital in Meerut where he succumbed to his injuries, the police said.

The atmosphere in Bulandshahr continues to be tense even as senior police officials including ADG Meerut zone Prashant Kumar reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

According to sources, some Hindutva chauvinists after finding carcasses of cattle in a field loaded them in a tractor and parked it near the Chingrawati police outpost. They claimed it was a case of cow slaughter and became embroiled in a clash with the police.

The incident occurred just a day after culmination of the ijtema or religious congregation of Tablighi Jama’at wherein lakhs of Muslim devotees, coming from all across the country and abroad, participated. Additional police forces have been deployed on the route being used be the devotees to return as isolated incidents of harassment have been reported at various places, although they are yet to be confirmed.

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