Tension prevails in Ghaziabad after cattle remains were buried in shared cremation ground

Tension prevailed in Sahibabad after cattle remains, found on a land in Pappu Colony on Thursday morning, were buried in a land marked as a cremation ground for Hindus and burial ground for Muslims in the vicinity. Following the burial, members of the Muslim community visited the office of district magistrate and handed over a memorandum to officials. They claimed that some persons intended to construct a temple on the land and were trying to disturb the peaceful conditions.

Tension prevailed in Sahibabad after cattle remains, found on a land in Pappu Colony on Thursday morning, were buried in a land marked as a cremation ground for Hindus and burial ground for Muslims in the vicinity.

Members of the Muslim community alleged that some persons were trying to build a shrine on the slab. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

“The remains of slaughtered cow were buried on the side of the cremation ground. However, members of the Muslim community objected to this,” Priti Jaiswal, the additional district magistrate (city), said.

The district administration deployed police personnel and PCR vans to prevent an escalation of the law and order situation.

“Apparently, the land comprises both the cremation ground and the graveyard. Nearly 10% of the land earmarked as the graveyard has graves but the rest of the ground (cremation ground part) is not used. People have littered this area with garbage,” she said.

“We disallowed the assembly of locals in the area and deployed police and PCR vans to prevent an escalation of law and order situation,” she said.

Locals had protested and attempted to block the Delhi-Wazirabad Road in the morning after finding the cattle remains.

Following the burial, members of the Muslim community visited the office of district magistrate and handed over a memorandum to officials. They claimed that some persons intended to construct a temple on the land and were trying to disturb the peaceful conditions.

“Police and PCR vans will be stationed in the area until further notice. Prohibitory orders are in place and no one will be allowed to disturb the peace. The remains of the animal were buried by the people who found them,” Anup Singh, circle officer (Sahibabad), said.

Cattle remains have been frequently found in the city during the ongoing state assembly elections.

On February 25, locals went on a rampage and damaged several vehicles after finding remains of a bull. Four persons were arrested for allegedly having slaughtered the bull.

On February 13, cattle remains were found in adjoining Sikandarpur. Locals protested and also blocked the Delhi-Wazirabad Road. Areas around the Hindon air base have a mixed population of different communities.

In January 2016, cattle remains were found in Sikandarpur and widespread protests followed.

In December 2015, there were protests against the police in Sikandarpur following a cattle slaughter incident. Three PCR van staff and the sub-inspector and in-charge of Tulsi Niketan police post were suspended.