12-07-2025
SIT to probe Rajbhar-Thakur clash, SHO suspended
Varanasi: Police commissioner Mohit Agrawal suspended Chaubepur police station officer Ravikant Malik on Friday night for alleged negligence in the Chhitauni incident, which led to tension between members of Rajbhar and Thakur communities.
He also formed SIT for impartial investigation of the case. Following clash between Rajbhars and Thakurs in Chhitauni, Karni Sena and Rajbhar groups of SBSP and BJP had come face to face. The matter was also brought to notice of the CM, chief secretary and DGP.
The SIT is headed by ACP (law and order) Shivhari Meena and includes DCP Varuna, DCP Crime, ADCP Varuna, ACP Cantt, and the newly appointed Chaubepur police station in charge.
Suspended Chaubepur police station officer Rakesh Kumar Gautam was replaced by inspector Yogendra Prasad, looking after Dial 112 service, while police stations of those in charge of Shivpur and Rajatalab were also changed. A clear directive was issued against laxity in kidnapping and caste conflict cases.
On July 5, two groups in Chhitauni village under Chaubepur police station clashed over a stray cow that entered green field of Sanjay Singh. When he drove it out, the cow entered nearby fields of Chhotu Rajbhar, Bhole Rajbhar, Gulam Rajbhar and Surendra Rajbhar and there was an argument, followed by the groups attacking each other with sticks and swords.
On Saturday, SBSP chief UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's son, Arvind Rajbhar, met chief secretary and DGP for investigation and appealed to people of his fraternity to maintain peace.
