Roorkee Village Witnesses Fatal Violence During Sant Ravidas Anniversary Celebrations
What began as a peaceful celebration of Sant Ravidas's birth anniversary in a village near Roorkee on Sunday descended into chaos and bloodshed after violent clashes erupted between two rival factions from the same community. The incident, which unfolded in Binarsi village under the Bhagwanpur police station limits, has left one person shot dead and another brutally beaten to death, sending shockwaves through the local area.
Escalation of Tensions Leads to Deadly Confrontation
According to police reports, the trouble started when two separate groups organized processions in the village during the afternoon hours. One procession was led by Anand Chand, while the other was headed by a man identified only as Vishal. The groups allegedly engaged in a heated verbal exchange over a previous dispute, setting the stage for a more serious confrontation later in the day.
Around 5 PM, both factions regrouped with their supporters and the situation quickly spiraled out of control. Initially, the groups began pelting stones at each other, but the violence escalated dramatically when some individuals resorted to firing gunshots and vandalizing each other's homes. The ensuing mayhem turned the village into a scene of terror and destruction.
Casualties and Injuries Reported in the Aftermath
During the violent clashes, Anand Chand sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and died on the spot. His brother Vikas, along with two aides named Gagandeep and Yogendra, also suffered bullet injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Roorkee. In a retaliatory attack, supporters of Anand allegedly assaulted Mange Ram, a 45-year-old man from the rival group, using sticks and sharp-edged weapons. Mange Ram's body was later discovered in the village, marking the second fatality in this tragic incident.
Police Response and Legal Actions Taken
In response to the violence, police authorities have taken swift action. Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered on Monday against a total of 24 individuals. Thirty-five suspects have been detained for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed that one person from each group lost their lives and assured that arrests would be made soon. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure to prevent further unrest.
The first FIR was filed based on a complaint by Jony Kumar, the son of the deceased Mange Ram. This case names 18 individuals and includes charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as murder, voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, unlawful assembly, mischief by fire, house trespass for assault, and damage to property. The second FIR was initiated by Laxmi Chand, the father of Anand Chand, naming six persons and invoking sections related to murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly.
This violent outbreak during a religious celebration has raised concerns about community tensions and law and order in the region. Authorities are urging calm as they continue their probe into the circumstances that led to this deadly confrontation.
