A major incident of violence was reported from the Daurala police station area in Meerut on the Delhi-Dehradun highway during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, while on Monday morning, a heated dispute between two separate groups of Kanwariyas escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to chaos on the busy highway. Both groups were reportedly returning from Haridwar carrying holy Ganga water to their respective destinations when the conflict began. The trigger for the fight was a minor collision involving a motorcycle, which quickly spiraled out of control as verbal spats turned into a full-blown brawl.
Details of the Midnight Altercation
The incident took place at approximately 2:30 AM on Monday. As the two groups clashed, the situation became increasingly volatile. Upon receiving information about the dispute, a team from the Daurala police station rushed to the spot to mediate and restore order. However, the arrival of the police didn't immediately calm the situation. Instead, some agitated members of the groups turned their aggression toward the law enforcement officers present at the scene, while a video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, showing a crowd surrounding a police vehicle and engaging in a scuffle with those inside.
Attack on Police Personnel in Disguise
During the commotion, a particularly concerning event occurred when the mob attacked a police vehicle, while inside the vehicle was Head Constable Dinesh, who was performing his security duties while dressed in the attire of a Kanwariya. It's a common practice for the police department to deploy personnel in plain clothes or traditional Kanwariya clothing to monitor law and order and ensure the safety of pilgrims during the yatra. However, the aggressive crowd reportedly mistook the disguised head constable for a member of the opposing group and launched an attack on him. The viral footage captures the moments where individuals are seen pushing and manhandling the person inside the police jeep.
Injuries and Police Action
Several individuals sustained injuries during the violent encounter. The police have identified the injured persons as Sonu, Ayush, Sagar, Vikas, and Guddu. Following the clash, all the injured individuals were taken for a medical examination and subsequently provided with necessary medical treatment. According to the latest updates from the authorities, the condition of all the injured persons is now stable. In addition to the medical procedures, the police have seized a motorcycle and a scooty involved in the incident as part of their ongoing investigation.
Official Statement from SP City
SP City Vinayak Bhosale addressed the media regarding the incident and clarified the sequence of events. He explained that the primary cause of the chaos was a misunderstanding. According to the SP, after the initial dispute, the police had placed some Kanwariyas inside the police vehicle for their safety or for questioning. However, the other group perceived this as the police or the opposing side assaulting the people inside the vehicle. This misconception led to the crowd surrounding the jeep and creating a ruckus. SP City Bhosale emphasized that the situation is now completely under control and peaceful. He further stated that the police are analyzing the viral video to identify the culprits and that strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty of inciting violence or attacking the police team.