New Delhi: The situation escalated in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, when Kanwariyas (pilgrims) dragged two individuals out of a police jeep and beat them severely during the Kanwar Yatra. The incident reportedly took place on the Delhi-Dehradun Highway within the jurisdiction of the Daurala police station. A video of the incident has circulated on social media, eliciting varied reactions from the public.
Some users claimed that the two individuals beaten after being pulled from the jeep were plainclothes police personnel; however, the police have categorically denied these claims. The police have revealed a surprising detail regarding the matter.
Police Claim: Dispute Between Two Kanwariyas
The video of the incident on the Delhi-Dehradun Highway (Daurala police station area) has gone viral. The police maintain that the incident stemmed from a dispute between two Kanwariyas, which was resolved at the scene. The viral video shows a large crowd gathered near a police jeep; the mob is seen dragging two individuals out of the vehicle.
Once pulled out, both men are subjected to a beating. A uniformed police officer is visible in the video, attempting to restrain the crowd. During the assault, the clothes of both youths appear torn. Later in the video, one of the men is seen running towards the fields to escape the attack. Several people chase him and are seen beating him with sticks in the field. He is also seen calling someone on his phone.
Claims of Beating Plainclothes Police Personnel
As the video went viral, various claims emerged on social media. Some posts alleged that the victims were plainclothes police officers. Additionally, voices can be heard in some videos suggesting that the vehicle should be set on fire. These claims have not been officially confirmed. Meanwhile, the Meerut police have clarified that many of the narratives circulating on social media are not based on facts.
Meanwhile, Meerut SP (City) Vinayak Gopal Bhonsle has fully clarified the situation regarding the viral video and the claims circulating on social media. He stated that the incident occurred on the night of August 2–3. One Kanwariya was travelling on a motorcycle to fetch Ganga-jal (holy water from the Ganges), while another was returning from Haridwar with the water.
During the journey, the two collided. Following the collision, an argument broke out between the two parties, which subsequently escalated into a physical altercation. Police from the local station arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. The police stated that no formal complaint has been lodged by either party so far. Meerut Police have categorically dismissed the claims being made on social media.
