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Dadri Redux: Mob Attacks Police, Sets Shop On Fire Alleging Cow Slaughter in Mainpuri, UP

Dadri Redux: Mob Nearly Kills 4 Men, Attacks Police Over Cow Slaughter Rumours in Mainpuri
PTI

Mainpuri (UP) - Just like in Dadri, rumours of cow slaughter led to a riot-like situation in Karhal. According to a report on The Times of India, a mob chased and nearly killed four men they suspected of slaughtering a cow. Two of the victims were admitted to the local hospital in a critical condition.

The carnage didn't stop there. The mob set several shops on fire and even attacked the police. The residents of Nagaria village in Karhal set police jeeps on fire and damaged several other vehicles, police said.

TOI reports: "They also targeted police vehicles, two of which they gutted, and personnel, injuring 7 cops. Many local residents, too, were hurt in clashes that followed. Tear gas had to be used to disperse the arsonists."

It was alleged that a cow, which was grazing in a field near the village, was whisked away for slaughter and its skin was being removed in a house when some villagers barged in. Some men started the rumour and then ganged up with others to attack the four people seen with the cow.

SDM Karhal, Vijay Pratap said it would be known only after post mortem whether the cow was slaughtered as was being alleged or the skin of a dead cow was being removed.

However, the TOI report states that the cow was dead and the owner had given permission to these four men to skin it.

District Magistrate Chandrapal Singh said that two persons have been arrested and more arrests would follow.

The situation was under control and DIG, DM and SP were camping at Karhal with heavy police force.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav said attempts were being made to vitiate atmosphere in Karhal.

"Today, attempts are being made in Karhal (Mainpuri) to vitiate communal atmosphere. We are ensuring arrest of those involved in the incident," he said.

Yadav also said that SP was fighting communal forces for a long time and would continue doing so.

(With inputs from PTI)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.