A police inspector died and many were injured after a mob attacked a police station protesting against alleged cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on Monday.

The inspector, identified as Subodh Kumar Singh, was killed after he was hit by a blunt object when the police tried to stop the rampaging mob. Singh was the SHO of Syana police station.

A villager, identified as Summit, sustained bullet injury. He was rushed to Meerut for treatment but succumbed to the injury.

Five other cops, including a circle officer, also sustained injuries.

Protesters pelted stones at the police station located in Syana and the police personnel, when they tried to stop the mob. The protestors also reportedly fired at the police.

According to a statement issued by the police, they had got information from the Gram Pradhan on Monday morning that cow meat had been found in Mahavas  village after which Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh went there for investigation.

“Some people took the bodies of the animals and tried to block the road. The policemen were attacked when they tried to get the road opened,” District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha said.

According to the DM, the mob comprised around 400 locals. They took the carcasses in tractors to reach the police station located in Chingravathi of Syana.

Reports say that the violent mob torched vehicles and vandalised parts of the police station.

The situation, according to the police, is now under control.

Additional forces have been deployed to maintain peace in the area. Two senior police officers, Additional Director General Prashant Kumar and Inspector General of police Ram Kumar, reached the spot.

Confirming the inspector’s death, Uttar Pradesh ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar said that those behind the violence and the killing will be arrested soon.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the cow slaughter and the mob violence.

Security in the district has been beefed up following the incident, which coincides with a major three-day Islamic congregation. Reports say that five companies of Rapid Action Force and six companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed.

ADG Meerut Zone Prashant Kumar has also ordered a magisterial probe in the matter while the home secretary issued necessary instructions after taking an account of the situation from the district magistrate and SSP of Bulandshahr.

Meanwhile CM Yogi Adityanath expressed grief on the deaths and instructed the officials to take necessary action.