Mob Kills UP Cop in Bulandshahr Over Rumours of Cow Slaughter

A policeman and one civilian were killed in the clashes, allegedly triggered by members of several Hindu groups.

The deceased police inspector, Subodh Kumar.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

A police inspector and a civilian were killed after a clash over rumours of illegal cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district on Monday, 3 December.

Police Inspector Subodh Kumar, of the Syana police station, was shot and hit by a stone-pelting mob. He was rushed to the Aurangabad Community Health Centre (CHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Meanwhile, a man identified as Sumit reportedly suffered a bullet injury during the protests and died at the Meerut hospital.

According to sub-inspector Suresh Kumar, an eyewitness in the killing of Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector Subodh Kumar, around 300-500 people had attacked the entire police force, reported ANI.

UP CM Announces Ex-Gratia Payment

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation of Rs 40 lakh for the inspector’s wife, Rs 10 lakh for the parents and a government job for a family member, reported ANI.

Expressing grief over the deaths in Bulandshahr violence, the CM has also sought a probe report into the incident within two days, according to an official statement.

What had Happened?

News agency IANS said members of several Hindu groups allegedly gathered on the Bulandshahr-Syana road with a cow carcass and pelted stones at police personnel. The mob was also protesting against illegal slaughterhouses, reported ANI.

Anand Kumar, ADG (law and order), reportedly said that the post-mortem showed that Singh had received a bullet injury and was hit by a “hard and blunt object.”

“The entry of the bullet is near the left eyebrow. As per the post-mortem report, it appears to be a .32 bore,” the ADG was quoted as saying.

A police official, who was an eyewitness to the incident, also said shots were fired by the people in the mob.

“People complained that a cattle carcass was found in the field, villagers were assured action. But they carried the carcass on a tractor and blocked the main road. The protest turned violent and stones were pelted at police. The forces retaliated with lathi-charge.”

Anand Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), as quoted by ANI

SIT to Probe the Matter

The ADG said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will probe the incident. An inquiry by the ADG intelligence and a magisterial probe will also be conducted.

Apart from the two deceased, a few other police personnel and civilians were also injured, but not critically, the ADG said.

Visuals from the spot showed arson and several motorcycles being vandalised. Several vehicles and the Chingarwathi police chowki were also set on fire by the mob.

(Photo: The Quint)

As tension prevailed in the area, police officers from several police stations were rushed to the spot to take control of the situation, police said.

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

Hindu Yuva Vahini and Bajrang Dal activists were allegedly behind the vandalism of the vehicles and the attack on police officials, IANS said.

The deceased police inspector.(Photo: The Quint)

Subodh Kumar Had Investigated Akhlaq Lynching Case

Subodh Kumar was the investigating officer in the Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case.

Anand Kumar confirmed that Kumar was the investigating officer in the case from 28 September 2015 till 9 November 2015. However, the charge sheet was filed in the case by a different IO in March 2016.

(With inputs from PTI, IANS and ANI.)