The 2014 Saharanpur Riots occurred between Muslims and Sikhs in Saharanpur, India over a disputed piece of land adjacent to a Gurudwara. Violence broke out after the Gurudwara began construction work, with both sides claiming ownership. Clashes resulted in three deaths and dozens injured. The violence appeared pre-planned as Muslims from other areas arrived to support one side with guns and swords. A long-standing court case had failed to resolve the ownership dispute over the land.

2. SUBJECT :- SCRIPT WRITING &
STORY BOARDING

3. STORY BEHIND SHARANPUR
RIOTS
 The 2014 Saharanpur Riots occurred on 25 July of that year in the city
of Saharanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. The riots occurred
between Muslims, incited by Muharram Ali Pappu, and Sikhs led by Shri Guru Singh
Sabha, over a piece of land.
Three people were killed and several were injured. The ruling Samajwadi Party calls it an act of RSS,
whereas BJP blames ISI though UP police say that the riot was well planned to divide members of
the two minority communities.
 Violent clashes broke out in Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh over a land dispute as
groups of Muslims and Sikhs clashed on the streets in broad daylight. Authorities imposed
curfew in the region to bring the situation under control after two persons were killed and
at least 12 others injured in the clashes between the two communities over a land
dispute. The early morning violent clashes broke out around 5 a.m. Five policemen were
reportedly injured as the two sides indulged in brick batting and arson.
 The mob also burnt shops and vehicles. People with swords ran after Sikh community while
the Sikh groups indulged in stone pelting in protest as the city witnessed violence, a day
after the last Friday of holy month of Ramadan.

4.  The land is adjacent to the Gurudwara near the railway station, of which
both groups claims ownership. On 25 July, members of the Gurudwara
flagged off the construction to expand Gurudwara premises and clashes
broke out the next day.
 The Gurudwara management had purchased land 15 years ago, but Pappu
claims that the land belongs to the Mosque and Wakf Board and there
cannot be construction without their permission. A petition was filed in
the civil court 10 years previously by Moharram Ali Pappu in the civil court,
stating that the land belonged to the Mosque.
 On 26 July, Muslims supporting Pappu came together from
Saharanpur, Moradabad and Muzaffarnagar, and attacked members of
Gurudwara Singh Sabha using guns and swords. Members responded to
them by pelting with stones. The fighting led to the death of 3 people and
left 33 injured.

5. Stone-pelters in action during violent clashes between
two communities over a land dispute in Saharanpur

6.  The land dispute over a Gurudwara land in Saharanpur near
railway station sparked off the violence. The Gurudwara is
adjacent to a huge piece of land which the Sikh community has
been taking care of for past so many years. The land has been
under dispute has been in controversy for some time already.
 The land was to witness the ‘lintel’ being dropped today in
order to pursue some construction work. The Muslim
community alleged that the land belongs to them and there
cannot be any construction. The Sikhs defended that the land
is adjacent to their Gurudwara and is rightfully theirs since
many years.

8.  The talks between the two sides failed to reach any conclusion and violence
broke out. Sikhs alleged that the violence seemed pre-planned as Muslims from
Moradabad and Muzzafarpur were also called in numbers.
 Gun shots were fired on the Sikhs and people with swords ran after the Sikh
community in the region. Shops belonging to Sikh community in Nehru
Market were set on fire by the angry mob.
 A witness in Saharanpur said that angry mob targetted shops owned by Sikh
community. Traffic on the national highway connecting Ambala was thrown out of
gear as protestors went on the rampage. District officials said curfew has been
clamped in Saharanpur city.
Over two dozen shops and vehicles were gutted.A dozen people have been
arrested for inciting violence over the land dispute. Police have arrested more than
60 people. The state transport cancelled all 569 buses which pass or terminate at
Saharanpur. Forces including PAC, CRPF, RAF and ITBP are deployed in the
troubled areas.

10.  The main accused, Muharram Ali Pappu, was arrested on 30 July 2014 and
booked under the National Security Act. Pappu is a former councillor of
Saharanpur Municipal Corporation and has a criminal record. The police
have registered a case against him and 66 others and charged 75 cases
against them.
 Moharram Ali Pappu had filed a petition in the court against the
construction. Prabhjit Singh, a member of Shri Guru Singh Sabha, said that
Pappu demanded 25 Lakh for an out-of-court settlement, to which they did
not agree, other members which supported him were only intrested in
robbing the shops and setting sikh property on fire it seems that they had
planned in advance because the fired almost 100 rounds in very less time
and policemen stood like audience 7 policemen which arived first on the
spot returned after sub inspector got some instructions from seniors.