Tensions Flare In Uttar Pradesh's Meerut: Pregnant Woman Among 12 Injured In Communal Violence

Twelve people, including a pregnant woman, sustained injuries during a communal clash in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district on Saturday (24 August) night.

After the altercation in Tatina village, police arrested one person and began raids to capture other suspects. An FIR was filed at the Lohia Nagar police station.

According to the police, Sirajuddin Qureshi, 28, are resident of Hapur district, has been living with his in-laws in Tatina village for the last three months.

At around 10 pm on Saturday, Qureshi, who was in an inebriated state, engaged in an altercation with Wahid Ahmed, 30, of the same villagev, over an issue while returning home.

As the fight between Qureshi and Ahmed ensued, a local doctor, Sitaram, 62, who was returning to his home in Tatina village from his clinic, attempted to intervene.

The intervention by Sitaram reportedly agitated both men, leading them to allegedly attack him together.

Local residents sensed the trouble and rushed to protect the doctor.

However, by that time, around a dozen members of Sirajuddin's family arrived to defend him, according to the police.

The area soon became a battleground as Hindus and Muslims allegedly hurled bricks at one another and attacked with sharp weapons, leading to injuries to about a dozen people, including Sonam, 26, a pregnant woman who reportedly rushed to the scene to save her husband Harish, 34.

Meanwhile, Sitaram’s grandson, Vipul, notified Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders about the incident.

Soon, 30 to 40 members of the Hindu organisations arrived at the scene and later staged a protest at the Lohia Nagar police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.

Lohia Nagar police station's SHO Sanjay Pandey said that Qureshi has been arrested and raids are being conducted to nab others.

“The forces from three police stations — Lohia Nagar, Brahmpuri and Lisadi Gate — were requisitioned to quell the trouble. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital while adequate police and personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed in the Tatina village as a precautionary measure,” Pandey added, The Indian Express reported.

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