Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A vendor belonging to a minority community was targeted by a mob belonging to the majority community in the city when he tried to sell bangles on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Taslim, a resident of Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, was subjected to physical attack, with some men abusing him allegedly using communal slurs. The men even allegedly took away his inventory, cash and destroyed his mobile phone. Action has been taken against both the parties in the matter. At present, the Central Kotwali Police has registered zero FIR against unknown people under 14 sections.
Hours after the media reported the incident, police said they have arrested two people while another three have been identified in connection with the case. At least 30 others have been booked.
"In a viral video, a bangle seller in Banganga Police station area was thrashed & objectionable language was used against him. FIR registered, the accused are being identified through the video. Stringent action will be taken against them," said Ashutosh Bagri, Indore SP.
As the video of the incident went viral, people from the minority community surrounded the police station in the area and demanded stern action against the assailants. Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway.
Reacting over the developments, Home Minister Narottam Mishra reportedly said that the vendor had been selling bangles using a different name and that two Aadhaar cards were seized from him by the police. The Minister further alleged that the vendor was targeted by the locals as they got to know that he was using a different name.
Read: MP: Seven held for shouting provocative slogans
Earlier, on Friday, seven persons were arrested for allegedly shouting provocative slogans including 'Pakistan Zindabad' in the Geeta Colony area of Ujjain, police said Friday. The incident took place during an event on the occasion of Moharram on Thursday night, said Ujjain Superintendent of Police Satyendra Shukla.
A case was registered at the Jivajiganj police station under IPC sections 124 (a) (sedition), 153 (provocation which can cause riot) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC, a local official had said.
