Right-wing outfit targets UP slum, over 20 booked

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune news Service

Gurugram, August 10

In an apparent intelligence failure on part of the UP Police, a right-wing outfit targeted a Ghaziabad slum two days after it issued a warning on the social media of “avenging” attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

The Hindu Raksha Dal, led by its chief Pinky Chaudhary, attacked the slum cluster in the Madhuban Bapudham area, claiming it was inhabited by Bangladesh nationals. The assailants thrashed some inhabitants and burnt down their shanties.

“I was cooking outside my shanty when I heard screams and tried to rush in but was pulled back by assailants and beaten up with sticks. They abused us despite pleading with them that we were Hindus,” said Rajvati, a victim.

“Around 7.30 pm on August 9, Hindu Raksha Dal chief Pinky Chaudhary and 15-20 of his supporters thrashed people living in shanties. Some of the residents were injured in the incident that occurred around 7.30 pm on Friday, according to the police.

Initial investigation suggests none of those living in the area were from Bangladesh,” said Abhishek Shrivastava, ACP, Kavinagar (Ghaziabad).

The police have registered an FIR against leader of the outfit Pinky Chaudhary and 20 others for rioting, hurting religious feelings and other offences and stressed that those attacked are not Bangladeshis.