KYC row at ration shop sparks communal tension in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur: A seemingly minor altercation over KYC verification at a ration shop in Jafra Bazar under Tiwaripur police station limits escalated into a political and communal controversy on Wednesday. Attempts are allegedly being made to link the incident with provocative angles involving Pakistan and the Indian Army, raising tensions in the locality.

According to eyewitness accounts, the clash was rooted in a longstanding political rivalry between two locals—Vinod, aide of councillor Abhishek Sharma and Irshad Ahmad, former councillor— believed to be stemming from past municipal elections. During a heated exchange, Vinod allegedly pushed Irshad, causing him to fall onto a crate used by a local milk vendor. The scuffle soon turned physical and Vinod is now undergoing treatment in hospital. Despite multiple attempts, Irshad could not be contacted. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, reportedly capturing the entire sequence of events. However, some individuals are said to be circulating exaggerated narratives, attempting to give the brawl a communal twist. SHO Gaurav Verma of Tiwaripur police station said, "We are examining the CCTV footage. Action will be taken only after verifying facts."