Meerut violence: FIRs against 200 rioters lodged

Meerut, May 11 (IANS) A dozen criminal cases were filed Sunday against 200 unidentified rioters for violence here Saturday in which about 50 people, including a senior police officer and two media persons, were injured.

Top civil and police officers from Lucknow rushed to the city and assured the residents of their safety and security as the city began to return to normal life.

Principal Secretary (Home) A.K. Gupta and Director General of Police A.K. Banerjee visited hospitals here and met the injured, and assured the victims of proper treatment, safety and security to their lives.

"After the violence broke out, the foremost priority was to control the law and order situation. The legal action has been initiated after the city returned to normalcy," Superintendent of Police (City) Om Prakash Singh told IANS.

"The police are seeking help from video footage on basis of which some criminals have been identified. Strict legal action will be taken against the culprits," Singh added.

The violence started Saturday at around 2 p.m. in Teer Gehran area when a group of people were installing a water facilitation kiosk near a mosque.

Members of the Jain community opposed the installation of the kiosk, saying it was near their temple too and the queue of people would disturb the peace of the premises.

But people from the other community did not agree and installed the water kiosk there, following which a scuffle took place between the two rival groups.

The scuffle blew out of proportion and people started shouting slogans against the other community.

Some vehicles and kiosks were set afire, and members from each side pelted bricks and stones. There were also reports of firing.

Following the rioting, shops were closed in the area, and heavy police force was deployed.

"The patrolling has been intensified in the area," Banerjee told mediapersons Sunday.