Mathura, 21

March (HS): A man known as 'Farsa wale Baba' died under strange circumstances

on a highway near the Haryana border here early Saturday, officials said. The

event sparked demonstrations and a road jam on the day President Droupadi Murmu

arrived in the region. Angry residents barricaded the national highway, causing

traffic jams that stretched many kilometers. According to social media footage,

demonstrator’s allegedly vandalised police and administrative cars as officials

sought to clear the route. The police eventually used light force to disperse

the throng.

Senior

Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar stated that certain anti-social

individuals attempted to disrupt the occasion, resulting in police

intervention. Four to five persons have been held for interrogation, he added,

adding that the situation is under control and traffic has been resumed.He

noted that the neighborhood has seen a significant increase in police presence.

Following

his death, the army had to be called in to calm the tense situation. The

situation in the city is currently under control thanks to the army's

intervention. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the

incident. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar issued a

statement on Saturday stating that the cow vigilante had died in a road

accident.

The SSP

said that Chandrashekhar alias Farsa Baba stopped a vehicle in the Kosikalan

police station area between 3 and 4 am on Friday night, considering it

suspicious. Due to dense fog, a speeding truck coming from behind hit him. He

died in the accident. Grocery items were found in the vehicle stopped by Baba.

The truck that caused the accident had a Rajasthan number plate and was loaded

with wires. The driver and conductor of the truck involved in the accident were

residents of Alwar. The driver was injured in the accident and has been

admitted to the hospital for treatment.

The SSP

has clearly stated that the police investigation has not uncovered any evidence

of cow smuggling. Some people gathered in connection with the incident and

blocked the road at the Chhata police station. They pelted stones, injuring

several police personnel and damaging a vehicle. The police have used necessary

force to clear the blockade.

Seeing the

situation worsen, the police resorted to lathi charge. Tear gas was also fired

to control the crowd. The DIG and other officers who arrived at the scene

attempted to persuade the crowd, but when they refused, an army unit was called

in. They relentlessly lathi-charged the rioters and dispersed them, after which

the blockade was finally cleared after about three hours.

SSP Shlok

Kumar stated that further legal action is being taken in connection with the

incident. For security reasons, reinforcements have been deployed in the area.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the Mathura incident and

has directed strict action against the officers and those responsible.

Supporters

said that Baba Chandrashekhar was ran over by livestock traffickers when he

attempted to halt a truck carrying cattle at the Kotvan border. Authorities

dismissed the allegation as deceptive. District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh

stated that the incident began at 4 a.m. when the Baba and his followers halted

a Nagaland-registered container suspected of transporting animals in the Kosi

Kalan region. The van was discovered to be transporting food supplies including

detergent, phenyl, and shampoo. He said that, because to strong fog, a

Rajasthan-registered vehicle carrying wire drove into them from behind, killing

the Baba on the spot. The truck driver was hurt, and the vehicle sustained

damage. According to the police, devotees took the body to the Baba's gaushala

in Ajanokh village for final rites. A post-mortem will be performed if the

family or followers request one in writing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi