Mathura’s law enforcement has cracked down on elements trying to inflame tensions following the untimely demise of Farsa Baba in a highway mishap. SSP Shlok Kumar dismissed claims of foul play, attributing the subsequent riots to deliberate misinformation by non-locals.
The sequence unfolded on Saturday in Kosikalan. Baba halted a canter from Nagaland over cattle smuggling suspicions. Fog shrouded the road as he approached the rear; a Rajasthan truck slammed into it, proving fatal for both Baba and the driver. Post-mortems and checks revealed no cows—just wires in the truck and groceries in the canter.
Baba’s associate filed a report, prompting swift police action. Yet, whispers of assassination spread like wildfire, drawing mobs to Chhata who jammed NH and turned violent with stone-throwing.
Thirteen arrests followed, targeting key agitators among them four outsiders who faced additional FIRs for rumor-spreading and interference. Despite pleas from residents to disperse, they fueled the disorder.
‘Stop sharing unconfirmed news online,’ urged SSP Kumar. ‘Post only verified facts.’ To prevent escalation, authorities activated sector patrols with judicial oversight.
As Mathura returns to normalcy, this episode serves as a stark reminder of social media’s double-edged sword, where fake narratives can ignite communal fires from mere accidents.