Temple committee secy among 2 booked for thrashing labourer offering namaz opp shrine

RUDRAPUR: A case has been registered against the secretary of the Atariya Temple Committee and an unidentified person after a video showing a daily-wage labourer being kicked, punched and beaten with sticks while he was offering namaz opposite the shrine was widely shared on social media. The controversy intensified on Wednesday, with right-wing organisations meeting senior police officials to present their version of events.The incident occurred on Tue evening in the Pantnagar police station area. Mohammad Shahid, 49, who works at a nearby under-construction house, was allegedly assaulted while he was offering namaz in an open space opposite the shrine. In the video, Arvind Sharma, secretary of the Atariya Temple Committee, is seen thrashing Shahid and asking an associate to record the assault, even as the victim pleads for mercy. Following public outrage and a gathering at the SIDCUL outpost, police intervened and initiated action. SP (crime) Jitendra Chaudhary said, "A case was filed on Tue evening against two persons, including Arvind Sharma, under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 352 (assault or criminal force)."On Wed, representatives of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal met the SP, alleging that Shahid had continued to offer namaz at the spot for several days despite repeated objections. Sharma also claimed that the land where the incident occurred is his private property and not a public field.Police said statements from both sides are being recorded, and revenue records will be examined to ascertain ownership of the land.