HT photo.
Ghaziabad: In BJP ruling Uttar Pradesh, the rightwing Hindutva outfit Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) attacked several Muslim families who were living in shanties, accusing them of being nationals of Bangladesh. In the last few days, there were reports of alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Hindustan Times reported.
According to Ghaziabad Police, two prime suspects and HRD activists, identified as Bhoopendra Tomar alias Pinki Chowdhary and Badal alias Hari Om, both were arrested on Saturday.
Assistant commissioner of police, Kavi Nagar, Abhishek Srivastava, said that an investigation has been initiated in the case, and a search is underway in search of other suspects. Those attacked were Muslim families, but none were Bangladeshis. He said that supporters of Pinki Chaudhary have been named in the case.
A neighbour of the attacked Muslim families, Locho Devi, said that there were 30 people who arrived and started attacking four to five families and alleged that they were Bangladeshi nationals. The attacked Muslims are mostly from Shahjahanpur. Their belongings were burnt while girls and women were also beaten or subjected to sexual abuse.
Devi said that they tried to save them but in vain while the victims fled the area. Police arrived when the damage was already done, she said.
The first information report read, “Chief of HRD along with 15-20 others attacked and damaged shanties of Muslims living in the area, alleging that they were Bangladeshis. They damaged three to four shanties. We tried to tell them that the Muslims living in the shanties were not from Bangladesh, but the attackers refused to listen to us and continued to beat them up,” HT quoted.
Meanwhile, HRD chief Pinki Chaudhary posted live videos of the incident on social media and said that HRD members, along with himself, were involved in the crime and that the Hindutva organization completely claimed responsibility for its actions.