Ghazipur, U.P.:

On Saturday, during the last rites of gangster politician Mukhtar Ansari, who was also Afzal’s brother, an argument allegedly broke out between the magistrate and MP Afzal Ansari. , who can enter the cemetery.

Thousands of people from Ghazipur district and nearby areas attended the last rites of Mukhtar Ansari, who died of cardiac arrest in Banda on Thursday.

According to local sources, when the conflict occurred, the local government, in an effort to control the gathering crowd, allegedly prevented some people from entering the cemetery and spreading sacrificial soil on the graves as part of the burial ceremony.

A purported video of the incident has surfaced on social media platforms, in which Afzal Ansari can be heard saying, “You cannot stop anyone from providing soil.” To this, Ghazipur DM Aryaka Akhoury replied: “People at home can provide soil. Will the whole town provide soil?” Afzal Ansari retorted, “Anyone anywhere who is willing to provide soil will do so”.

When the DM cited the prohibitory order imposed in the area and asked if any permission had been sought, Ansari replied: “Despite Section 144 (of the CRPC), you cannot prevent anyone from attending the burial.” The DM said that the funeral was being carried out Videotaped and legal action will be taken.

The local government has taken elaborate security measures outside Ansari’s residence and cemetery.

Police faced difficulties managing crowds trying to force their way into the restricted-access cemetery. Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Varanasi District Piyush Mordia was also in Mohammadabad to oversee the arrangements.

Afzal Ansari also appealed to the crowd to remain peaceful as the funeral procession reached the cemetery.

According to Varanasi Range DIG OP Singh, adequate police personnel have been deployed everywhere. The Ansari family has been cooperating with police. He said people started gathering in the area on Friday night and advisories were put in place to ensure there was no overcrowding.

Asked about slogans chanted by people in the crowd, he said Mukhtar Ansari’s family gave a list of 40 to 50 people who were allowed to stay at Kalibagh cemetery during the burial .

After the prayers, all other activities ceased. There is complete peace now, OP Singh added.

Police, Provincial Armed Police and paramilitary force personnel were deployed at all key locations. More security personnel were subsequently deployed in the area as the crowd grew.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)