Hapur lynching: UP Police apologise for controversial photograph

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday issued an apology after a photograph emerged where a group of policemen were seen escorting men dragging the body of a man who was lynched by a mob.
"We apologize for the incident. All the three policemen have been transferred to Police Lines and an enquiry has been ordered," UP Police tweeted.

The UP Police tweet also had screenshots of a couple of tweets condemning the police action.
The state police came in the eye of the storm after a photograph emerged on social media where a group of men can be seen dragging the body of a man who was lynched by a mob in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district. In the photograph, three police personnel can also be seen along with the group.
In its clarification, the police said that the photograph was taken shortly after the arrival of the police and "the non-availability of the ambulance" led to the mishandling of the victim's body.
UP Police also admitted that the policemen should have been more sensitive in their conduct.
"The humane concerns got ignored in the urgency of saving a life and maintaining law and order," read the message from DGP, UP Police.
The state police received flak on social media for the controversial photograph.
Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar was one of the many internet users to have condemned the police action.
"How can roads be safe when your own officers quietly watch a mob lynch a man to death @Uppolice ????????" she tweeted in response to a UP Police tweet promoting road safety.

"The @Uppolice escort provided to the #lynch mob was more worried about being photographed," one Twitter user wrote.
In another tweet, a man lashed out at the action of men in uniform.
"Just look at men in uniform from @Uppolice. Making department proud or bringing in sheer shame is useless to ask when we know how normal it is these days to brutally lynch a random Muslim in the name of a cow," he tweeted.
"Twitter hashtags are not sufficient, they need a lesson in compassion and dignity as well," one Twitter user asserted on the necessity to impart further training to the police force.
The controversial photograph was taken following the lynching of a man after an altercation in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.
The killing took place in Bacheda village in Pilkhuwa area when two men had a quarrel with a man on a motorcycle.
The motorcyclist called his friends who beat up the two men, Qasim and Samayuddin.
The police admitted them to the hospital where Qasim succumbed to his injuries, the official said. The other victim was stated to be out of danger.
Hapur Superintendent of Police Sankalp said there were rumours that the fight was over alleged cow slaughter but investigations showed they were not correct.
DIG (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar said two men have been arrested and some others picked up for questioning.