Eleven Detained in Hardoi Over Buddha Statue Installation Conflict

The police detained 11 individuals amid tensions in a Hardoi village following the unauthorized installation of a Buddha statue, leading to violent clashes. Authorities have registered two FIRs and responded with a heavy police presence to maintain order.

In Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district, authorities have detained 11 people after a dispute over the unapproved placement of a Buddha statue in Mahuakola village led to unrest. Two official complaints have been lodged regarding the event, which spiraled into violence involving stone-throwing at officials.

The incident began when 'outsiders' allegedly erected the statue on land owned by Putti Lal Maurya without proper authorization. Local objections led to tense discussions between villagers and officials. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, tensions boiled over and some instigators escalated the situation into aggression against police and administrative personnel.

District Magistrate Anunay Jha reported that the conflict emerged as the installation was attempted without community consent, escalating into confrontations that lasted into the night. As a result, several officers were injured, prompting police to take mild action to restore peace. The administration has increased police presence in the area and is monitoring social media to prevent misinformation from stoking further discord.