Hindu families in Meerut forced to abandon home, sell properties due to harassment; UP Police disagrees on cause

A complaint lodged on the NaMo app by a social worker claimed that 125 Hindu families had migrated from Prahlad Nagar in Meerut due to harassment of women by members of another community.

The complainant, Bhavesh Mehta, claimed that Hindu families are selling their homes and migrating out of fear. Hindu women are harassed by members of the other community and people are beaten up for objecting to it, he alleged.

The complainant, Bhavesh Mehta, claimed that Hindu families are selling their homes and migrating out of fear.

"We don't want Prahlad Nagar to stop being a good locality, around 200-300 Hindus live in this area. We do not have any problems with our Muslim neighbours, but some anti-social elements from the outside disturb the peace here. We want PM Modi and our Chief Minister to bring back the people who have left Prahlad Nagar and find a permanent solution to our problems," Mehta said about his complaint filed on the NaMo app.

But the residents claim that no action has been taken despite several complaints being lodged with the police verbally and in writing.

Upset over inaction by the authorities, people are considering selling their homes and many have already done so. At least 12 houses in the locality have "for sale" written on them, along with the phone numbers of the owners.

Officials said the matter pertained to local issues. Police have differed in the matter and said that there are some issues that the locals are facing but it can't be termed as exodus. They added that the issues faced by the residents of the locality will be resolved soon. The authorities and police have tried to assure the people and have asked them to not leave the area.

ADG of police, Prashant Kumar, said he spoke to district officials. He denied that Hindus were migrating and claimed that the matter pertained to local issues.

Kumar met residents of Prahlad Nagar and said people were not being forced but there were some issues which needed to be dealt with.'

"We got the news that some families were leaving Prahlad Nagar. We carried out a survey of the area and met people there and came to know that people are not leaving due to harassment or forced evictions but there are problems like eve-teasing, traffic and encroachment due to which people are leaving for better places," Kumar told ANI.

The ADG said problems being faced by the people will be resolved with the coordination of various departments. To resolve people's issues, a committee comprising the city magistrate and circle officer, Kotwali, has been constituted. Police personnel have been deployed in the area to deal with law and order issues. 

"We will also consult the municipal corporation and other concerned officials to remove encroachment in the area and increase security to stop the influence of unwanted elements," Kumar said.

The ADGP added that a proper investigation will be carried out before submitting the final report on the matter. "There is a provision to submit online complaints through various channels, we will carry out a proper investigation and send a report thereafter," Kumar said. 

Zee News reported went to Meerut and confirmed the reports of exodus of Hindu families. Here is the full report: