One killed, police station burnt in Ghaziabad violence

Ghaziabad  :  One man was killed in police firing and dozens injured when a mob, protesting the desecration of a Quran, burnt down a police station and a number of vehicles in Ghaziabad’s Masuri town, police said.

Police said the irate members of Muslim community burnt the police station, set about five dozen public and private vehicles afire.

They said a passer-bye had Friday evening found few pages of the Quran lying on the ground near Adhyatmik Nagar railway crossing and reportedly thrown from the moving train. The pages had abusive words written on them as well as mobile number.

The passer-bye contacted the senior persons of his community who reached the police station with a mob, burning it down, jamming traffic movement on National Highway-24, and setting over five dozen public and private vehicles afire.

However, a community member said the violence ensued after police allegedly ignored the complaint of the desecration of the holy book.

“Police personnel, instead of taking action, ignored the complaint,” said advocate and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ayub Ali.

Police used force to disperse the mob, leading to the death and injuries.

A senior police officer confirmed the incident.

“Yes the mob have set the police station afire, jammed traffic on the national highway, burnt vehicles,” said Deputy Inspector General, Meerut, Zaki Ahmed.