Mathura: In Lohvan village of Jamunapar police station area, a dispute over money in a gambling game on Saturday night quickly took a communal turn. It is alleged that some youths from the Jatav community brutally beat up two youths from the Brahmin community. Following this, a rumor spread near Ambedkar Park that these youths had broken the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This rumor further inflamed the atmosphere, leading to rioting, sloganeering, and vandalism in the Brahmin settlement.
According to the police report, on the night of August 9, Santosh Kumar, son of Ninu Mishra, and Jitendra, son of Horilal, had an argument over money while gambling near Ambedkar Park. The altercation turned into a physical fight, and some people from the Jatav community beat Santosh Kumar badly. Santosh then called his brother Kundeep to the spot, but as soon as Kundeep arrived, he too was attacked. Both brothers were beaten and dragged up to Lohvan Bagichchi.
Upon receiving the information, the police arrived at the scene and rescued the two youths from the crowd. While the police were taking them to the station, some miscreants spread a rumor that the Brahmin youths had damaged Ambedkar’s statue. This news quickly spread tension throughout the village.
It is alleged that some aggressive members of the Jatav community broke the glass of the police vehicle, pushed and shoved the police personnel, and entered the Brahmin settlement, where they used abusive language and shouted ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans. To disturb communal harmony, they allegedly engaged in verbal abuse and provocative sloganeering.
Following the incident, the police registered a case against 27 named and 40–50 unidentified individuals under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of obstructing government work, vandalism, assault, threats, and inciting religious sentiments. Police stated that strict action will be taken against the culprits and that additional police forces have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
