U’khand Right-Wing Groups Vandalise Muslim Shops After Fake Video

Rudraprayag district magistrate took to social media to clarify that the video was fake and appeal for peace.

Image used for representational purpose only.

(Photo: Ishadrita Lahiri/ The Quint)

Section 144 was imposed in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand after local trading bodies and right-wing groups vandalised at least 15 shops owned by Muslim traders in Agastyamuni town on Friday. As of now, ANI reported that two people have been arrested.

What led to the violence? Violence erupted after a fake video was shared on social media alleging that a 10-year-old Hindu girl had been raped by a Muslim man, The Indian Express reported.

On Friday morning, more than 2,000 people gathered close to the local police station demanding justice and punishment for the alleged accused.

At the time of the protests, the agitators, including people from the local trader’s body, a local students’ group Jai Ho and members of ABVP, vandalised at least 15 shops owned by Muslims.

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.

Tripti Bhatt, with the charge of Rudraprayag district’s Superintendent of Police (SP), told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/right-wing-groups-uttarakhand-town-vandalise-shops-muslims-fake-social-media-post-5126693/"><i>The Indian Express</i></a>

Rudraprayag district magistrate took to social media to clarify that the video was fake and appealed for calm and peace.

“The faces of the young boy and girl in the photograph are not clear. Nor have we have not received any complaint of a rape in Agastyamuni. We are searching for the person who shared this piece of fake news on social media and strict action will be taken against them,” Ghildiyal said in the video.

Agastyamuni has a small Muslim population. Many Muslim traders whose shops were vandalised have been born and brought up in Agastyamuni… I had not witnessed any communal incident in the town until today (Friday). What happened today was shocking.

Gajendra Rautela, a local told<i> <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/right-wing-groups-uttarakhand-town-vandalise-shops-muslims-fake-social-media-post-5126693/">The Indian Express</a></i>

An FIR has been registered in the Agastyamuni police station against those who vandalised and against those persons responsible for publishing the fake video.