RAF deployed in Moradabad after one killed in police firing

RAF deployed in Moradabad after one killed in police firing
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

LUCKNOW, OCTOBER 2: Tension prevailed in Moradabad town today following the death of a person when police fired last night on a mob protesting against police inaction in a kidnapping case. More than six persons were injured in the firing.

About 200 people turned violent when the body of 25-year-old Abdul Hafis, who was kidnapped on September 16 from the Barbalan area of the town, was fished out from the Ramganga river. The relatives and neighbours of the youth kept the body at the Jama Masjid Chowk. As the numbers swelled, they began demonstrating against the police for their failure to arrest the person named in the FIR. This led to a clash with the police.

The mob then attacked the Mughalpur police station with stones, damaged thefurniture and set two police vehicles on fire. When the people refused to disperse, the police opened fire, resulting in the death of one person andinjuries to more than half-a-dozen people, including three policemen.

When the District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate and senior police officials arrived at the spot, there was a brief lull. But soon enough the mob was back to protesting. It collected tyres and wood and burnt these on the road, disrupting traffic. When the police moved towards them, they were pelted with stones and they retaliated. In the clash, a leader of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, Alim Ahmed, was injured.

The DM then called out the Rapid Action Force jawans and additional policeforce. It was after the RAF arrived that the mob started dispersing. The RAF jawans have been deployed in the Muslim-dominated areas, including Diwan Ki Bazaar, Tehsil Sakal and Samli Gate.

According to the DGP's office, no untoward incident was reported today.