‘Left with no choice’: 40 Hindu families put up ‘house for sale’ posters in Azamgarh after clash

Residents from these families alleged that the district administration failed to address their concerns, leaving them with no choice but to sell their homes and relocate.

Following clash on June 3 between members of two communities in the Muslim-dominated Chhota Pura area of Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, at least 40 Hindu families have put up posters reading "house for sale", TOI reported.

The families alleged that they were living in a state of fear in the area that comes under Mubarakpur police station in the district. As per the report, they also alleged that they have been facing violence, abuse, and harassment for playing music or DJs during religious and wedding functions.

According to the report, residents from these families alleged that the district administration failed to address their concerns, leaving them with no choice but to sell their homes and relocate.

"We have taken note of reports that some families are planning to migrate. We have contacted them and assured them of adequate police presence to ensure their safety,” Azamgarh ASP Madhuvan Kumar Singh was quoted by TOI as saying.

On June 3, according to the report, women and girls were busy performing pre-wedding rituals along with music and dance in Bamhaur when youths from the other community started making videos of them.

As the women asked them not to record their celebration, the youths allegedly indulged in sexual harassment. After the women raised the alarm, men from their families arrived and both groups clashed, leaving eight persons injured. After admitting the injured to the hospital, Mubarakpur police said they registered a case and arrested six accused.

The ASP stated that a case was registered against both groups in the Jun 3 group clash. Mubarakpur police station in-charge Nihan Nandan stated that after the incident, frequency of police patrols had been increased in the area to maintain peace, the report added.