Cops, locals clash over alleged Quran desecration

Lucknow, July 7 (IANS) Police clashed with a group of Muslims in an Uttar Pradesh village Wednesday over the alleged desecration of a Quran, an event some police officials said never happened.

The clash, which led to exchange of fire, took place in Arahlatnagar Bagah village on the outskirts of Moradabad city, about 350 km from here. Some people were injured but no one was killed, officials said.

According to reports reaching the state headquarters here, the clash followed the alleged desecration of the Quran by a team of cops during the course of an investigation into a sexual harassment case.

According to the police, the team was attacked by a man whose son was allegedly behind the harassment of young girls of the locality.

"When the police retaliated, the family members of the accused spread false reports that a cop had snatched the Quran from a girl in the house and flung it. As the canard spread, people took to the streets, attacking the cops and burning government property," an official said.

By the time additional forces reached the village, a police jeep had been burnt.