Clashes in Kanpur over ‘insult’ to Prophet Mohammed throughout TV debate

By PTI

KANPUR: Violence erupted in elements of Kanpur after Friday prayers as members of two communities indulged in brick-batting and hurled bombs over makes an attempt to close outlets in protest in opposition to ‘insulting’ feedback on Prophet Mohammed.

Clashes broke out in Pared, Nai Sadak and Yateemkhana areas of Kanpur, police mentioned.

The two sides hurled bombs and opened hearth as members of one of many teams tried to close outlets over alleged insulting remarks made by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma throughout a tv debate not too long ago, a senior police official mentioned.

Those who allegedly pressured shopkeepers to close outlets clashed with police personnel who had to make use of batons to disperse the mob.

Some native leaders, together with Maulana Mohammed Ali (MMA) Jauhar Fans Association chief Hayat Zafar Hashmi, had referred to as for closure of retailers on Friday in protest in opposition to the remarks.

They had additionally taken out a procession throughout which they confronted members of different neighborhood, an official mentioned, including that on account of which clashes broke out.

Soon a whole bunch of individuals had taken to the streets in protest.

About half-a-dozen individuals, together with road goers and onlookers, sustained severe accidents within the incident.

Kanpur’s District Magistrate Neha Sharma informed PTI, “Members of a specific neighborhood took to the road in protest and indulged in violence.

Several individuals had been critically injured and have been despatched for medical help.

“Heavy police force has been deployed in the affected areas. The police have also sought additional reinforcement,” she mentioned.

Strict directions have been issued to keep up shut vigil on the simmering state of affairs and ensure no additional violence takes place, she mentioned.

The senior official added that an investigation has been launched into the episode and plenty of have been detained for questioning.