One killed in fresh violence in Muzaffarnagar

One person was killed and several others injured today in fresh clashes between members of two communities in the district, where tension has been simmering since violence in Kawal village ten days ago.
The incidents occurred as a meeting was being held in Naglabadhod in defiance of prohibitory orders to demand withdrawal of cases registered in connection with August 27 Kawal violence, whose probe has now been handed over to a Special Task Force (STF).
A photographer, believed to be hired by police, was beaten to death in Sekeda village by a group of people returning from the meeting, police sources said.

Five persons were injured when members of two communities pelted stones on each other at Basiakla village. In Ilmanspur village, a mob set afire a vehicle.
Security had been tightened in view of Naglabadhod meeting and prohibitory orders imposed in the area, police added. Several people had participated in the first meeting held in the aftermath of Kawal violence despite a ban imposed by the district authorities.
Crime branch today arrested ex-Jansath block pramukh, Virender Singh, for an alleged provocative speech during the last meeting on August 31.

Singh is a cousin of Shashank Shekhar Singh, who was the former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Secretary in the previous Mayawati government in the state.

According to DSP JR Joshi, the ex-pramukh was arrested for allegedly participating in an "unauthorised meeting" while prohibitory orders were in force in the area.
Tension has been simmering since three persons were killed in the district's Kawal village on August 27 following a minor dispute on collision of two motorbikes.
DGP Deo Raj Nagar said the government has formed a Special Task Force to investigate the Kawal incident.
"Some elements are trying to create communal tension in the region. The STF will be helpful to normalise the situation. No one would be allowed to breach peace in the area," he said.