Road rage, rumours of building mosque spark tension in Meerut

MEERUT :An incident of road rage and the construction of a mosque sparked tension in the towns of Sardh ana and Mawanain Meerut district but timely action by the police brought the situation under control.

The first incident took place in Mawana town on Wednesday when Deen Mohammad and his friends allegedly thrashed Sandeep and Rohit, residents of village Raninangla of Hastinapur for refusing to give way to Mohammad’s car.

While the police arrested the two accused later in the day, their supporters gathered at Mawana police station demanding their immediate release.

They also blocked road and raised slogans against the police, accusing them of being biased.

On Thursday, supporters of Rohit and Sandeep ghaeroed the police station and resorted to road jam. The crowded also pelted stone on a truck and targeted a few roadside vendors. They were demanding the arrest of other accused.

Meanwhile, members of two communities came to face to face on Thursday in Sardhana town, about 25 km from Meerut, after a rumour that a mosque was being constructed on Ikri road spread like wildfire.

Police ordered the stoppage of the construction after a protest by BJP supporters. The construction which allegedly started in the evening triggered a hue and cry although it was not clear if it was indeed a mosque that was being built. While BJP activists claimed it was a mosque which was being built, the members of the other community denied it.

Even as members of both communities started gathering, timely intervention by police helped in controlling the situation.

Senior superintendent of police Manzil Saini said the matter had been referred to sub divisional magistrate and he will settle the dispute. She claimed that situation in Mawana is also in control and warned anti-social elements not to take law and order into their hands.

WHILE BJP ACTIVISTS CLAIMED IT WAS A MOSQUE WHICH WAS BEING BUILT, THE MEMBERS OF THE OTHER COMMUNITY DENIED IT.