PIONEER EDFGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Police have registered a case on Wednesday against the State president of the Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) Lalit Sharma for allegedly making inflammatory and communal speeches during a protest in Bairagiwala village of Sahaspur.
The action comes after a violence between two communities erupted over irrigation water on June 13. In the clash, Vinod Kumar Kashyap, a resident of Bairagiwala, was killed, while three others, including his brother Ashok, were injured. Following a complaint by the deceased’s family, police registered a murder case and started an investigation. So far, police have arrested five accused in the case.
According to police, a large number of people from the Hindu community gathered in Bairagiwala on June 14 to protest against the killing. Police alleged that during the protest, HRD chief Sharma had made provocative and objectionable comments against the Muslim community in the presence of media persons and local residents. The statements were reportedly recorded on video and later circulated widely on social media platforms.
Officials said that the video had sparked resentment among members of the Muslim community and raised concerns about communal tension flaring up once again in the area.
Based on the available video footage, digital evidence and other materials, a case has been registered against Sharma under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to promoting enmity, disturbing communal harmony and other offences.
