1 killed in clashes between BJP supporters and police over cow trafficking in Uttar Pradesh
A man was killed and many others were injured in eastern Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district on Friday after a BJP lawmaker and his supporters allegedly clashed with police over "trafficking" of cows.
The police seized a mini truck yesterday in Ballia carrying seven cows, saying that paperwork to establish ownership and to transport the cows wasn't in order. Cops claim the truck driver escaped when the police apprehended the vehicle. The animals were then taken to the police station.
Soon after, BJP legislator Upendra Tiwari reached the police station with his supporters and demanded the release of the cows. He claimed that a villager named Vinod Yadav had brought the animals from a local fair and they were being transported with all legitimate paperwork.
Contradictory to the cops' claim, Mr Tiwari said that the police beat up the driver after seizing the truck and snatched Rs 50,000 from him.
"The police station in-charge beat up the driver badly and also snatched Rs 50,000 rupees from him. The driver contacted me in the morning and I went to the police station," Mr Tiwari alleged.
"The officer also said he would teach me a lesson and refused to release the truck and animals even after the legitimate receipt was produced," he added.
Following the refusal, the two parties clashed and police allegedly resorted to lathicharge and also used tear gas. A supporter of Mr Tiwari, Vinod Rai, was allegedly shot by the cops. Police have denied the allegation.
"The cops were hit with stones and then we had to resort to a lathicharge. We were ready to hand over the cows provided we were given a legitimate receipt, but they were unwilling. There are allegations that the man has died in police firing but we have no such report that any cop fired at the protesters," said top officer Manoj Kumar Jha.
Additional forces from other districts were rushed to Ballia, however police said the situation was under control.
The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Ballia has been suspended by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for failing to maintain law and order.