According to the police, a group of people were trying to remove a green flag that was put up on an electrical pole in the village
Maharajganj: Uttar Pradesh police arrested 10 people on Monday after residents of Bargadwa village of the district complained that a flag put up for Muharram was replaced with a saffron flag on Sunday.
An FIR was registered under IPC Sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance) against 14 people. The arrests were made on the basis of a complaint filed by a local resident, Ram Nayan.
Manish Kumar Singh, SHO of Panivara police station, said, “The other group (Muslim residents) has not filed any police complaint so far”.
According to the police, a group of people were trying to remove a green flag that was put up on an electrical pole in the village. The group comprising Hindus wanted to put up a saffron flag instead.
“When they were trying to remove the flag, some members of the Muslim community arrived there and objected. A heated argument ensued and soon more people joined in…It eventually led to a clash,” Singh said.
According to police reports, both groups attacked each other with stones and sticks. The police eventually intervened and broke up the brawl.
Security forces have been tightened in the village, which has a 65% Hindu population.
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