UP: Clash over Kanwariyas' music leads to violence

LUCKNOW: A clash between a group of Kanwariyas and a group from another community over playing of DJ music in

Sitapur

turned ugly on Tuesday with a clash.


The Kanwariyas staged a protest against the police at Ramleela Maidan and hurled stones at the police team and vehicle which had come to control the situation.

SP Sitapur and Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel controlled the situation. Four police personnel were suspended.

According to the police, around 9pm on Monday, a group of 60 Kanwariyas was returning from Gola Gokarnath in Lakhimpur Kheri. In Mitaura Majre Khenwa village under Rampur Mathura police station, a group of seven people belonging to another community objected to the DJ music played by the group at night.

The argument led to a brawl between the two groups and took a turn for the worse as more people from both groups joined in. Villagers then informed the police.

Circle officer Mahmoodabad VB Singh said that cross FIRs were lodged against eight villagers and four Kanwariyas. One Shiv Kumar, who had sustained critical injuries, was referred to the

Barabanki district

hospital.

"Those named from either group were also arrested," he added.

However, on Tuesday morning, local leader Tyagi Maharaj, along with a group of Kanwariyas, protested at Ramlila Maidan against the police.

"As the police reached there, Kanwariyas pelted stones at the police vehicle and attacked the cops," added Singh.

Later, SP Sitapur LR Kumar and the SDM reached the spot to meet Maharaj. Maharaj expressed his anger at the alleged ill-treatment of the Kanwariyas by the police.

As a result, SHO Rampur Mathura OP Rai, along with four others, was suspended.

Meanwhile, injured Shiv Kumar is recuperating at KGMU in Lucknow.