Bulandshahr tense after 'objectionable' video goes viral

MEERUT: Tension prevailed in Bulandshahr on Sunday after a video showing a man making "objectionable" comments against the majority community went viral on WhatsApp on Saturday. There were reports of stone pelting between members of two communities on Sunday. Angry mobs also vandalised some shops in the city. Heavy police force has been deployed to prevent escalation of violence.The administration also held a two-hour-long peace meeting with local people on Sunday night to maintain peace.
Earlier in the day, members of some Hindu organisations met senior police officials to apprise them of the "hate" video. Violence was reported when members of the minority community confronted them as they were returning after the meeting with police officers.
In the viral video, a man who claims to be a resident of Pahasu town is seen making "objectionable" comments against a particular religion. The man in the video also claims that even "PM Narendra Modi does not have the power to hang him to death as punishment for making the comments."
Some residents of the city approached the police in this matter on Saturday night itself following which an FIR was filed against the accused. Bulandshahr superintendent of police (rural) Jagdish Sharma said, "A case has been filed against one person under IPC section 153 (a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc.), section 66 of the Information Technology Act (computer related offences), IPC 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). During investigation, it came to light that the video was made in Hyderabad, where the accused stays. The man often visits his relatives in Pahasu town. Teams of anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and special task force (STF) have been sent to Hyderabad to probe the matter.”
Meanwhile, police also video-graphed the entire incident for stone pelting on Sunday, in which a few people suffered minor injuries. "We are screening the video of the clash that was recorded by our officials to identify the men involved in Sunday's stone pelting. A case will be filed against all the people involved in the clash," said Sharma.
Police also detained 12 persons from the extended family of the man in video, sources said.
"We have deployed heavy police force to ensure that no one can disturb peace in the area. Efforts are being made to arrest the accused as soon as possible," said district magistrate Aunjaneya Kumar Singh.