Boy made to shout ‘Pak zindabad’ for Muharram video to disrupt peace: Cops

Bareilly: A 12-year-old boy was allegedly made to shout “Pakistan Zindabad” by a local resident in Khaikheda, under Hafizganj station limits, police said, adding that the clip was recorded and circulated with the claim that the slogan had been raised during a Muharram procession.The video surfaced online on Sunday night and triggered tension in the area after it was alleged that people accompanying the taziyadar had raised pro-Pakistan slogans during the procession. A complaint was also submitted to Hafizganj police, alleging that around 30 persons in the procession had shouted inflammatory slogans.During investigation, police examined the video, spoke to villagers and verified the sequence of events near the imambara and the procession route.

Investigators said charges against the procession members were not supported by evidence and that local resident Yogendra Pal had used the child to create the clip.Police said Pal and Buvnesh Kumar, both in their 30s, have been arrested, while further investigation is underway to establish how the video was recorded, who first circulated it, and whether more people were involved. Officials said the minor’s statement would be recorded as per procedure and action would be taken based on the evidence gathered during the probe.

SP (North) Mukesh Chandra Mishra said the probe found that the slogans were not raised by taziyadars. “The probe clearly established that no such slogans were raised by the taziyadars. This was a conspiracy. An FIR has been registered, and strict legal action is being taken to ensure no one attempts to disturb communal harmony in this manner,” he said.