Dehradun: Members of right-wing groups vandalised upto 15 shops owned by Muslim traders on Friday following a fake video circulated on social media platforms.
According to Indian Express report, the incident of communal flare-up took place in Uttarakhand’s Agastyamuni town after rumors spread on social media that a Muslim boy raped a minor Hindu girl.
An angry mob of at least 2,000 agitators led by right-wing groups reportedly associated with ABVP took out a procession and raising anti-Muslim slogans set ablaze upto 15 shops belonging to minority community.
“The shops (of Muslim traders) were emptied, and the materials in them, including mobile phones, watches, clothes, and vegetables, were thrown onto the streets and burnt by the agitating groups. However, no one was hurt,” said Tripti Bhatt, who currently holds the charge of Rudraprayag district’s Superintendent of Police (SP).
Mangesh Ghildyal, District Magistrate, posted a video on social media clarifying that the rumor which was spread on social media was “fake” and appeal to the people maintain peace by not paying heed to such rumour.
“The faces of the people in the video are not clear. Neither the man nor the woman in the video has been identified. Also, we have not received any complaint of a rape in Agastyamuni. We are searching for the people who have been spreading fake news of rape over social media…strict action will be taken against them,” the DM said in the video.
Heavy police force has been deployed to ensure peace and a case was booked under various sections of IPC.
According to local residents, the little town of Agastyamuni with largely peace loving people has a small Muslim population. They never witnessed such violence in decades.
Ever since the BJP-led NDA government has taken power in Uttarakhand, there were attacks on Muslim minority that created communal tension in the quaint hill town.