Gurugram Incident: Deputy imam was killed during an attack by Hindu mob in mosque

• Image Credit: google

• Aug 1, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Officials claim that Maulana Saad, 19, was slain inside a mosque hours after deadly communal clashes...

Digital Desk: A deputy imam was slain as a crowd of far-right Hindus set fire to and opened fire on a mosque in the suburb of the Indian Capital New Delhi, just hours after deadly communal chaos in a nearby region.

Maulana Saad, a 19-year-old prayer leader at Gurugram's sector 57 Anjuman Jama mosque, has been identified by police as the victim.

Reportedly, there were three other people present, one of whom was hurt and two who were unharmed.

The mosque was attacked by a mob early Tuesday, a day after rioting in the nearby Nuh district of northern Haryana state.

"In the early hours of Tuesday, a group of 50 to 60 miscreants resorted to firing and arson at Anjum, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of another," Deputy Commissioner of Police Nitish Agarwal told reporters.

Also Read : Man faints after receiving property tax bill of over 1 lakh

"We have arrested a few people, registered an FIR [police report] against them, and launched an investigation into the incident," Agarwal added.

This occurs at the same time as a Hindu far-right organisation allied with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been advocating against Friday prayers in Gurugram, which is located in the state of Haryana. One of the few locations that was authorised by the government to host prayers was the Anjuman mosque.

About the Incident that occurred between Hindus and Muslims in a neighbouring district-

The incident occurred in Nuh, where authorities imposed a curfew following deadly conflicts between Hindu and Muslim groups. At least four people were murdered in the Nuh district confrontations, including two police officers.

The reported violence erupted when a Hindu ceremonial procession moved through the Muslim-majority area. Krishan Kumar, the Nuh police spokesperson, told Reuters that "The procession was supposed to move from one temple to another, but clashes broke out on the way, resulting in the death of four people. He also said two of the dead were members of the home guard and ten more police officers were injured in the skirmishes," he added.

Additionally, as per reports several cars were set on fire and stones were hurled at police, prompting the state administration to call in reinforcements to bring the situation under control.

To disperse the masses, police sprayed tear gas and fired rounds into the air.

"Today's situation is regrettable. I appeal to everyone to keep the state peaceful. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and the harshest action will be taken against them," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated on Twitter.

"Our first priority is to stabilise the situation. We are asking everyone to keep the peace. We are also attempting to send forces by helicopter," said Anil Vij, Haryana's Home Minister.

Notably, the authorities in the area have halted internet connectivity and prohibited big gatherings for preventing further chaos.