Other States

Watermelon vendor thrashed by people in Uttar Pradesh

Watermelons kept for sale at a roadside outlet. Image used for representative purposes only | File

Watermelons kept for sale at a roadside outlet. Image used for representative purposes only | File   | Photo Credit: G. R. N. SOMASHEKAR

Police said the allegations against the vendor, Chand Ali, that he spat on the watermelons turned out to be ‘false and baseless’ after a probe and questioning of the locals

A fruit vendor in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri was thrashed by people after they accused him of gargling water and spitting it on the watermelons.

Kheri police on Tuesday said that the allegations made against the vendor, Chand Ali, that he spat on the watermelons turned out to be “false and baseless” after a probe and questioning of the locals.

The police, however, in a statement issued on Twitter, also dismissed the allegations made by the vendor that the policemen present there also thrashed him along with the locals.

Talking to a local television channel, Mr. Ali showed bruises and swelling on his neck, arm and hamstrings, alleging that he was beaten up by the public and also by the police.

“Public surrounded me and started hitting me. Police didn't help, they hit me a lot,” he said. “The more I pleaded, the more they hit me.”

Kheri police said that a team from the Kotwali Sadar police station reached the spot in Mohalla Barkherva on April 25 after it was widely circulated on Whatsapp groups that the vendor was allegedly selling watermelons after spitting water on them and that local women had caught hold of him.

Police found that Mr. Ali had been a regular at selling seasonal fruits.

“Due to the heat, he was carrying a bottle of water with him. Then a few local youths came there and started creating a ruckus by spreading the false allegation of him spitting water on the watermelons,” said Kheri police.

A letter from the Editor


Dear reader,

We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. To enable wide dissemination of news that is in public interest, we have increased the number of articles that can be read free, and extended free trial periods. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.

Support Quality Journalism
Recommended for you
This article is closed for comments.
Please Email the Editor

Printable version | May 30, 2020 2:23:27 AM | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/watermelon-vendor-thrashed-by-people-in-uttar-pradesh/article31450796.ece

Next Story