New Delhi: Unidentified individuals allegedly threw pieces of “meat” at the entrance of a temple in Kannauj’s Rasoolabad village Thursday night, infuriating locals, who then set two shops on fire and even blocked roads demanding strict action.
Speaking to ThePrint, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shiv Pratap Singh said that the situation is now “normal”.
The UP government Sunday removed Kannauj Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Kumar Srivastava just 15 days after his posting to the district. IPS officer of the UP cadre, Kunwar Anupam Singh has been appointed as the new SP in his place.
District Magistrate (DM) of Kannauj, Rakesh Mishra, has also been transferred and Chitrakoot DM Shubhrant Shukla appointed in his place.
According to reports, the temple priest alerted the police about “meat pieces” strewn outside the compound Friday morning, following which the police rushed to the spot and got the premises cleaned.
A group of angry locals had by that time gathered on the road outside the temple located under the limits of Talgram police station, accusing the police of inaction.
The situation, however, was brought under control within three hours, police said.
“We are looking into the matter. The mob blocked the road and set fire to two shops, but they were assuaged and the crowd was dispersed,” said DSP Deepak Dubey, who is posted as Circle Officer (CO), Tirwa.
— kannauj police (@kannaujpolice) July 16, 2022
Following the violence, the police registered two FIRs; one in the case of pieces of “meat” found outside the temple and the other in connection with the violence that ensued.
The FIRs were lodged under 336 (acting so rashly or negligently so as to endanger personal safety of others) and 147-148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), among other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Police confirmed that multiple arrests have been made and further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, rubbishing rumours of idols being desecrated at two places in Kannauj, Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar told ThePrint Sunday that this is “false information”.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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