Cops among injured as villagers clash with SP delegation in Ghazipur

Varanasi: Several people, including police personnel, were injured in clash between locals and a Samajwadi Party delegation, who had arrived in Katariya village in Ghazipur district to meet the family members of girl whose body was found in a river recently.The incident took place on Wednesday when the villagers stopped the SP team at the outskirts of the village. In protest, the SP leaders and workers staged a demonstration at the spot.Within no time, the dispute escalated and led to stone-pelting. Several people, including police personnel, were injured. They were admitted to a nearby hospital.The matter is connected to the recovery of the body of a 16-year-old girl on April 15. Her body was found in a river near Zamania bridge. Investigation revealed it to be a case of murder, following which one accused has been arrested. Tension had been prevailing in the village since the incident.Meanwhile, the arrival of the SP delegation in the village worsened the situation further. Villagers stated that interference by outsiders could vitiate the atmosphere. SP workers, on the other hand, remained adamant on their demand to meet the victim’s family and seek justice.As soon as information about the incident was received, the police administration swung into action. Additional police force was deployed at the spot and the situation was brought under control.Ghazipur SP, Iraz Raja, said postmortem report of the girl suggests no sexual assault. The FIR was lodged on the complaint of the girl’s father and further probe was on.