In the sacred city of Haridwar, chaos erupted on Friday when a clash broke out between a group of tourists and local shopkeepers. The skirmish escalated quickly, with both sides resorting to sticks and even kitchen spatulas, leaving several injured.
According to local officials, what began as a minor disagreement in the Har Ki Pauri area spiraled into a full-blown brawl. A video that emerged on Saturday captured a distressing scene: a man, bloodied and wielding a large stick, was seen attacking another individual while three others held him back. The target of this confrontation was subsequently dragged away by a crowd who slapped, elbowed, and even struck him with a spatula—the tool typically used for frying.
As the melee continued, some men kept assaulting the victim, while others attempted to restrain those wielding the weapons. At one point, the injured man clung to another’s leg, seemingly pleading for mercy.
Authorities have arrested six individuals from both the tourists’ and shopkeepers’ groups.
Ritesh Shah, a police official in Haridwar, stated that the dispute stemmed from a trivial matter but was brought under control promptly. He emphasized, “We will not tolerate any disruptions to the religious dignity and peace of Haridwar. In this holy place, where devotees gather from across the nation, we will take strict action against anyone causing unrest.”
Mr. Shah noted that police are reviewing CCTV footage and that further actions will be pursued based on the findings.
