AGRA: Tension gripped parts of Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district after a prominent gau sevak died after being hit by a truck, triggering widespread protests, stone-pelting, and major traffic disruption on the Agra–Delhi highway.According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday under the Kosikalan police station limits when the deceased, Chandrashekhar—popularly known in the region as ‘Farsa Wale Baba’—was reportedly chasing a group of alleged cattle smugglers after receiving inputs about their movement.During the pursuit, the baba, along with his disciples, stopped a container truck with a Nagaland registration number and began checking it. The container was found to be loaded with items such as soap, phenyl, shampoo, etc.“Due to dense fog, a truck with a Rajasthan registration number carrying wire collided from behind, resulting in an accident. Farsa Wale Baba died on the spot due to the accident. The truck driver was injured, and the truck was damaged,” an an official of the Mathura administration said.The law and order situation escalated at a time when security in Mathura had already been heightened due to the President’s three-day visit to the city.As information about his death spread, incidents of traffic jams and stone-pelting were reported, with people accusing cow smugglers of killing the baba. During the violence, vehicles belonging to the administration and the police were damaged. Authorities later pacified the situation. Chandrashekhar was known for his activism and had a strong following in the Braj region.As crowds swelled, anger spilled onto the Agra–Delhi highway, where protesters blocked traffic and resorted to stone-pelting. Several vehicles were damaged, including those belonging to administrative and police officials.Authorities said vehicles of SDM-level officers and senior police personnel were targeted, with windscreens shattered in the violence.Police initially struggled to disperse the crowd but later used tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
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SSP Mathura Shlok Kumar said, “Under Kodi Kalan police station, last night between approximately 3 to 4, the Baba had stopped 1 vehicle on suspicion. Due to dense fog last night, 1 truck bearing a Rajasthan number plate came from behind and hit them, resulting in their death. The container that was stopped was found to contain grocery items. The truck that came from behind with a Rajasthan number plate had wires loaded in it. The driver and conductor of the truck are both residents of Alwar, Rajasthan. The truck was damaged in the accident and the driver was also injured and is undergoing treatment. No smuggling of any kind has been found in this case. Some people who had gathered over this incident created a traffic jam at Thana Chhata and resorted to stone-pelting. The jam has been cleared using necessary force, and further scientific investigation is being carried out.”
