UP: Three arrested in connection with assault on Muslim man in Kanpur

KANPUR: Three persons were arrested for allegedly assaulting a 45-year-old Muslim man, accusing him of indulging in religious conversion, in Barra area of Kanpur.
The disturbing video clip of the incident showing the man’s little daughter crying and trying to cling with him and begging for mercy from a mob of assaulters, went viral on the social media on Thursday.

Later, the police rescued the man and brought him to the police station.
DCP South Raveena Tyagi said three main accused have been arrested late Thursday night in connection with the Wednesday evening incident of assault and humiliation with Afsar Ahmed, an E rickshaw-driver, in Barra area of the City. The Barra police had filed an FIR against a local man, who runs a marriage band, his son and around 10 unknown people, based on a complaint by the assaulted man Afsar Ahmed.
"Arrested were identified as Ajay alias Rajesh Bandwala son of Ganga Dhar, Aman Gupta son of Suman Kumar Gupta and Rahul Kumar son of Prem Babu," said DCP further and added, "Efforts are now being made to arrest the remaining accused."
Meanwhile, in protest against the arrest of three persons, local activists reached DCP South office late in the night and raised slogans and created ruckus and sat on a dharna.
The officials however assured them of a fair investigation following which they left the spot.
To recall, a woman resident of Kacchi Basti eight had accused neighbors Saddam, Salman and one Mukul of molesting her daughter and getting her converted with the lure of 20 thousand rupees.
The police had registered a case on July 31, but in the absence of evidence during preliminary investigation, the police did not file a section of conversion in the FIR.
In protest against this, the local activists later created a ruckus at Ram Gopal crossing in Kachchi Basti in Barra on Wednesday evening.
When Afsar, a relative of one among the molesters passed by with a seven-year-old girl, the activists who were creating a ruckus dragged and thrashed him severely.
Later, a video of the incident also went viral. In the video, Afsar's minor daughter was seen desperately trying to save and clinging to him.
DCP South Raveena Tyagi later visited Afsar Ahmed’s house and met his daughter, who was seen with him in a viral video crying and clinging on to him, and pleading the attackers to spare her father.
The DCP showered love and affection on the girl and gifted her a doll.
Speaking to TOI about her meeting, the DCP said her visit was an attempt to instill a sense of confidence among the aggrieved family, particularly the girl child.
She said, “We asked them to not be afraid and trust the police. We also assured them that stringent action will be taken against the guilty.”
She added, “Efforts to vitiate the atmosphere will not be tolerated. Maintaining peace is the priority of the government and strict action will be taken against those indulging in unlawful activities.”
DCP said that additional police forces are deployed in the area.