Kanpur clashes: 18 arrested, over 1,000 booked in 3 FIRs, cops say bulldozers will run | Top Points

Two groups clashes in Kanpur on Friday after one group tried to force the closure of shops in protest against alleged insult to Prophet Mohammed. Police said 18 people have been arrested and bulldozers will run on the property of the accused.

Violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur on Friday after one group tried to force shopkeepers to shut down shops at a popular market in the city over alleged offensive comments about Prophet Muhammed on a television show.

Clashes erupted when one group opposed the shutdown call by the other. Stones were pelted, crude bombs were hurled, and police had to resort to lathicharge and tear gas shelling to disperse the rampaging mob.

So far, 18 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, police said. Three FIRs have been lodged, in which 40 people have been named as accused while 1,000 others are yet to be identified.

1. A few Muslim leaders in Kanpur had called for closure of shops on Friday in protest against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed during a recent news debate on the Gyanvapi issue.

2. One group came to shut down shops in Parade Market -- one of the biggest wholesale markets in the city -- after Friday prayers. "Suddenly, around 50-100 people came and started raising slogans, which was opposed by the other side. Then there was stone pelting,” said Kanpur police commissioner Vijay Singh Meena.

3. The two groups came to blows at the city’s Parade Chowk area. Videos shot amidst the violence showed people hurling stones and attacking one another. Bombs were lobbed and shots were also fired, according to reports.

4. The police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob and prevent further violence. Police commissioner Vijay Singh Meena said the situation is under control now.