Mathura, March 21: Tension gripped Mathura after the death of a cow vigilante known as Chandra Shekhar, who died in a road accident on the Agra-Delhi highway early Saturday morning, triggering protests and a massive traffic disruption.
According to police, the incident occurred around 4 am when a truck hit Baba amid dense fog conditions, leading to his death on the spot.Authorities stated that Baba, along with a disciple, had stopped a container truck near the Kotwan border area on suspicion of cattle smuggling.
Officials later clarified that the vehicle, registered in Nagaland, was found to be carrying non-livestock goods such as soap, phenyl, and shampoo after inspection.However, supporters of Farsa Baba rejected the police version and alleged that he was deliberately run over by individuals involved in cattle smuggling.
Following his death, angry locals and supporters blocked the Agra–Delhi highway, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting movement for several hours.The protest quickly escalated, with reports of stone-pelting and vandalism of police and administrative vehicles when authorities attempted to restore order.
District officials said that multiple people, including police personnel and protesters, sustained injuries during the clashes.Senior officials, including the Agra range police leadership, reached the spot to control the situation and initiate dialogue with agitated groups.Authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the incident and warned that those involved in violence will face strict action.
Officials added that preliminary findings indicate the accident occurred due to extremely low visibility caused by dense fog in the early hours.Security forces were deployed in large numbers to clear the highway and restore normal traffic flow after hours of disruption.
Police also urged residents to avoid spreading rumours and to wait for the official investigation report before drawing conclusions.The situation was later brought under control, though tensions remained high in surrounding areas for several hours.
The incident also drew attention due to the presence of President Droupadi Murmu in Mathura on the same day for a religious visit, located around 25 km from the protest site.Authorities continue to monitor the situation as local administration works to prevent further escalation.
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