Clip of unnatural act with cow sparks mob violence

BHOPAL: Tension erupted in Damjipura village of MP’s Betul district Sunday after a video allegedly showing a 50-year-old man committing an unnatural act with a cow went viral on social media. The clip triggered outrage, leading to arson and vandalism by an angry mob. Police arrested the accused and deployed security to control the situation, officials said.As the video circulated Sunday, residents and members of right-wing organisations gathered in numbers. Several tin-shed shops were set on fire or damaged, markets were shut and vehicles were vandalised. No injuries or casualties were reported.Police acted swiftly after the video surfaced and nabbed the accused. “The situation is under control now. Close to 200 police personnel have been deployed as a precaution. Force from nearby Khandwa was also roped in,” Betul SP Veerendra Jain told TOI.“The alleged act reportedly took place at around 11.30 pm Saturday. A local youth shot that video, but did not inform police or anyone else and shared the video on social media the next morning,” he said. Police appealed for calm and warned against spreading rumours or uploading provocative content online.