Two home guards killed, several cops injured, cars torched as mobs pelt stones at VHP procession in Haryana’s Nuh

Tribune News Service

Sumedha Sharma

Gurugram, July 31

Two home guards were killed and more than 10 policemen injured on Monday as a mob in Haryana’s Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, police said.

Neeraj Kumar, a home guard, lost his life to a bullet injury. Hodal DSP Sajjan Singh sustained a severe bullet wound on his head, while inspector Sandeep Kumar, in charge of the Crime Unit in Sector 40, Gurugram, suffered a gunshot wound on stomach. A sub-inspector, Devender Kumar, from Kherki Daula police station in Gurugram was also injured in the incident.

Twelve policemen, who were injured in the clashes between two communities in Nuh, have been admitted to Medanta Hospital.

After issuing warning for days against the yatra which included many cow vigilantes, a mob torched over 80 vehicles, a police chowki and virtually took around 2000 people “hostage” in a temple. As per reports, all have been rescued.

The state government imposed Section 144 in the district sealed its borders and suspended internet services till August 2.

Additional forces from Gurugram, Palwal and Rewari were called in. ADGP Law Mamta Singh led the forces trying to rein in the chaos. Earlier, there were reports of several people being stuck in Nalhar Mahadev temple. Home Minister Anil Vij said central forces were airdropped to rescue them.

“Additional forces have been sent to Nuh and three companies from the Centre are being airdropped to rescue those stranded. Internet services are suspended and we are trying to restore peace and law and order,” said Vij.

According to police, the clashes broke out when VHP’s Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh. The procession was pelted with stones and at least four cars, part of the procession, were set on fire.

People in the procession also reportedly retaliated and soon clashes spread across Nuh.

As Nuh SP Varun Singla is on leave, the officiating Palwal SP rushed with force and was joined by others. The threat of clashes loomed over the yatra a week ago with reports of cow vigilante Monu Manesar planning to join it. Manesar is wanted for murder of Nasir and Junaid and was warned by local groups to stay away from Nuh. The tension gripped the area when he released a video announcing his participation. Though Monu did not participate in the yatra, things turned ugly when another cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi allegedly released an inflammatory video.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has issued an appeal asking people to maintain peace.

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