Holi clash in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki leaves 11 injured

Barabanki: At least 11 people were injured after a dispute over playing with colours on Holi escalated into a violent clash between two groups in a village in Barabanki, police said.

The incident took place on Wednesday, March 4, afternoon in Tikaria village in Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, an argument between the two sides over playing with colours quickly turned into a bloody confrontation, with both groups allegedly attacking each other with sticks, batons and iron rods for about 10 minutes, creating panic in the area.

Locals intervened and tried to bring the situation under control. Police officers who arrived at the spot after being informed pacified both sides.

Villagers said eight people from one side and three from the other have sustained injuries. All the injured were sent for medical examination, police said.

A villager, Avdhesh, alleged that members of the rival group entered his house when there were no male members and assaulted his family. He claimed that when he and others arrived there and tried to intervene, they were also beaten up.

Avdhesh further alleged that four persons held him and attacked him with a knife.

Tension had prevailed in the village following the clash, but the situation is currently under control, police said.

Deva Station House Officer Ajay Kumar Tripathi said both sides have filed complaints, and a case will be registered based on them.

“Medical examination of the injured is being conducted. Necessary legal action will be taken after investigation,” he said.

Police are also examining videos related to the incident and have appealed to residents to maintain peace, he added.