Daijiworld Media Network - Roorkee
Roorkee, Feb 2: Tension prevailed in the Bhagwanpur area of Roorkee in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district after a violent clash between two rival groups during a religious procession claimed two lives and left three others seriously injured on Sunday.
The incident took place in Binarasi village during a bhandara organised as part of the Ravidas Shobhayatra. Following the violence, police deployed heavy security from multiple police stations, including Jhabrera, Roorkee and Kaliyar, to prevent further escalation.
According to police sources, the clash erupted around 5 pm due to a long-standing rivalry and a dispute linked to “social prestige”. What began as a verbal altercation soon escalated into a violent confrontation, during which firearms were allegedly used.
Anand (28), a resident of Binarasi village, died on the spot after being shot in the chest. Later in the night, the body of Mangeram, belonging to the rival faction, was recovered from a nearby field. Preliminary findings indicate that he was beaten to death.
The killings triggered protests by the victims’ families and local residents, who blocked the road by placing Anand’s body on it and refused to allow post-mortem examinations until the accused were arrested. Senior police officials intervened and managed to pacify the crowd, following which the bodies were sent for autopsy late in the evening.
“A heavy police force has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order,” said Shekhar Chandra Suyal, Superintendent of Police (Rural). “Three others — Vikas, Gagan and Yogendra — sustained pellet injuries and are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital. A detailed investigation is under way.”
In the aftermath of the clash, incidents of vandalism were reported, with angry mobs targeting houses of the rival group and damaging at least ten two-wheelers. Miscreants also attempted to set a stack of fodder on fire, though locals intervened before the flames could spread.
The local intelligence unit and district police have been placed on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any retaliatory violence. While no arrests have been officially confirmed so far, several suspects are reportedly under investigation.