'Bulandshahr violence could have been averted if top cops had reached on time'

The preliminary investigation report in Bulandshahr violence has revealed that if the top cops had sensed the gravity of the situation and reached the spot on time, the incident could have been averted. The violence claimed lives of two, including a police officer.

According to the report, the incident took place around 9.30am but top cops took five to six hours to reach the spot. The report stated that after receiving information of carcasses of cows, an inspector was asked to go there first, followed by a circle officer and a sub divisional magistrate. The inspector tried to stop the tractor-trolley on which the carcasses were being carried, but failed because he did not have sufficient force.

Meanwhile, the agitated mob parked the tractor on the highway and blocked roads. The mob demanded culprits responsible for cow slaughter be booked under National Security Act and Gangster Act. Though the police agreed to their demands, some of them said they will not leave unless they get a copy of the First Information Report (FIR). When the police tried to remove the tractor by force, the mob started pelting stones, which deteriorated the situation.

Earlier this week, the postmortem of police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, who was killed in the violence, confirmed he had been shot dead. Shortly after the mob went on a rampage in Bulandshahr, it was claimed Singh had died of injuries sustained in stone pelting, which was disproved by the postmortem. Singh's mobile phone and service revolver were also missing.

According to preliminary investigation report, lakhs of people from one community were gathered there and the violence could have spread to neighbouring districts, too.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Team under IG Meerut, is probing the matter. Further arrests will be made only based on the detailed probe report. Four persons were arrested on Tuesday after police lodged an FIR against over two dozen people for rioting and murder. As many as 27 people have been named in the FIR, while cases have been lodged against 50 to 60 unidentified people.