AGRA: Nearly a dozen shops were set ablaze and heavy

was reported in the remote village of

after a couple coming from two different religious communities allegedly eloped.

The minor girl (15) who is a student of class nine was living at her maternal grandfather’s house in

of

, while the boy who the police claim is 18 years old lives nearby. He is claimed to be a class XII student. According to sources, after leaving for school in morning hour the girl and the boy did not return home. Later, the girl’s parents lodged an FIR against the boy under

(Kidnapping).

"As soon the FIR of kidnapping was lodged, the information spread like fire. By 6 pm, nearly 100 men led by local saffron group members armed with batons, club sticks, guns, iron rods and stones charged on the men of other community who were engaged in their daily businesses. Nearly 15 small shops and food carts owned by the men of other community were set ablaze and heavy stone pelting was done. There is immense sense of terror among the local residents. At least three men were also injured with minor bruises," said a source of Saimra village.

Badar, a cycle shop owner whose business was set on fire by violent mob, said, "We ran for lives as soon we saw the armed men heading towards us with weapons and stone. They vandalised and set fire in all the local shops including of mine and elder brother Abrar who runs grocery store. The men even looted cash and other items from the shops."

Raes (60), another local resident, said, "We hide ourselves on the roof tops of our houses, as the mob continued to attack local residents and engaged in violence for two-hours even in police presence. We don’t know why they have attacked the entire community, when only one adolescent boy had committed the crime of eloping with the girl."

Station house officer, Prashant Tyagi said, "We are yet to identify the men involved in arson and violence." Both the girl and boy were reported to be recovered at the time of filing this report.

SDM Etmadpur, Garima Singh said, “FIR will be lodged against men involved in violence. We are keeping close tab on the situation.”