19-yr-old kanwariya stabbed to death in UP as 2 groups clash

MEERUT: A 19-year-old kanwariya was killed and nearly half a dozen injured during a clash between two groups of 'dak kanwariyas' (fast-moving devotees) along a route in Baghpat district of UP. Police said the fight happened when the groups tried to win a race in reaching their village temple in Haryana first to offer holy water to Lord Shiva. Locals said around 20 men from both sides attacked each other with bricks, sticks and sharp objects around 11.30am on Friday. During the clash, Vansh Kumar from Aterna village in Sonipat was stabbed with a knife in his lower back, and he died soon after.

SP (Baghpat), Arpit Vijayvargiya, told TOI on Monday, "The man died due to excessive blood loss. He was part of a group of devotees from Haryana. CCTV footage and videos are being scanned and some involved from Haryana have been identified. We'll arrest them soon."

Raj Kumar, 30, an eyewitness, said the fight was fierce.

He added: "While running with holy water on the road, an argument broke out and two groups attacked each other with sticks, bricks and knives. The injured were moved to a community health centre in Binauli."