Surat, July 5: A clash broke out in Nanpura area of Gujarat's Surat on Friday after police stopped people from taking out a rally to protest against incidents of mob lynching in the country. A large number of people came out on streets to protest against mob lynchings. According to reports, a couple of police officers were injured in the clash that erupted after Friday prayers in Nanpura area. Authorities have not issued permission for the rally, news agency ANI reported.

Following the clash, police imposed Section 144 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) in the area. Section 144 prohibits the assembly of five or more people, holding meetings or carrying weapons. It was not clear which organisation called for the protest. People were carrying posters denouncing mob lynching of Tabrez Ansari who died in a hospital on June 23, days after he was brutally thrashed by a mob in Dhatkidih village on suspicion of stealing a bike. Asaduddin Owaisi Targets Sangh Parivar, Says 'Mob Lynchings of Muslims and Dalits Are Linked to Them'.

Police stop rally against mob lynching in Surat:

Earlier this week, trouble began in Agra when more than 2,000 men, after offering namaaz, started an unauthorized procession demanding justice for Ansari. They were stopped in the middle and were asked to hand over their memorandum and return peacefully. But, some anti-social elements from the group started pelting stones. Tabrez Ansari's Father Was Not Killed in Mob Lynching, Claims Family Members.

Later, five FIRs were filed and over 600 people were booked for the ruckus. Similarly, in Meerut, crowds assembled at Indira Chowk and Faiz-e-Aam College on Delhi Road. When asked to disperse, they started raising slogans against the police. A few of them jostled with policemen after which mild force was used.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2019 06:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).