Five injured in police firing in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - At least five people were injured Friday when police resorted to firing to disperse the locals who took to streets in Uttar Pradesh’s Sant Kabirnagar district to protest the delay in dousing fire in wheat fields, authorities said.

A large number of locals of Mahuli village indulged in vandalism after there was a delay of over three hours in the arrival of fire tenders at the fields.

“Fire broke out in the wheat fields and spread to the nearby thatched huts. The fire broke out after 12 noon and when the fire tenders did not reach the spot for over three hours, the locals indulged in vandalism,” Superintendent of Police Sugriv Giri told IANS.

“The furious mob was just not willing to listen to us… They not only attacked policemen but also tried to torch police jeeps.”

“We had no other option, so we resorted to firing to control the unruly mob. Those injured in the firing are being treated in hospitals,” he said.

According to police, no one was seriously injured. But locals alleged that two people were serious and being treated at a hospital in Gorakhpur district.

“Taking into account the series of violent protests, additional security has been deployed in Mahuli and adjoining villages. The situation is tense, but well under control,” said Giri.