17 booked after clash between police and Dalits in UP's Hathras

As many 17 people have been booked following a clash between police and Dalit locals over "removal of idols and pictures of Hindu Gods" at a religious function organised in Jatoi village under Sadabad police circle, police sources said on Thursday.

While members of the Dalits claimed that police misbehaved with them, police say they had reached the spot after they received complaints about an event being held without permission on Wednesday night.

According to police sources, a video, which went viral on social media, shows youths removing pictures of Hindu Gods from the walls of houses.

A youth with a sack can be seen and heard saying, "Have you seen any picture of Babasaheb or Gautam Buddha at the house of a Brahmin? Why have you people put these pictures inside this sack?"

Taking cognisance of the viral video, police launched an investigation and reached the spot.

Ashish Kumar, SHO of Sadabad police station, said, "The police team was attacked when they enquired whether permission was taken to organise the religious event by Dalit youths. A Sub-Inspector and a constable sustained injuries in the attack.

Seventeen attackers and 50 unidentified people have been booked under various sections. A probe is on in the matter."