A video purportedly showing a Sikh policeman saving a Muslim youth from a mob after the latter was allegedly found in a compromising position with a Hindu girl at a temple near Ramnagar in Nainital district has gone viral.
Uttarakhand ADG (law and order) Ashok Kumar said the incident occurred earlier this week when a Muslim youth went to meet his girlfriend, a Hindu, at Garjia Devi temple about 15 km from Ramnagar.
Locals somehow came to know about it and reached the temple to "teach the duo a lesson", he said.
On being informed about a trouble in the area, sub-inspector Gagandeep Singh rushed to the spot where he found a mob preparing to attack the couple alleging that they had been found in a compromising position.
He immediately rushed to their rescue drawing the Muslim youth close to him to act as a shield to him, and in the process taking several blows from the mob on himself, the ADG said, adding the mob was dispersed and the couple was taken to a police station from where they were sent back to their families.
Five people whose faces are visible in the clip have been booked and a search is on to nab them. A reward of Rs 2,500 has been announced for Gagandeep Singh for his act of bravery, he said.
The Uttarakhand cop is now being hailed as a hero on the social media. The IPS Association has also lauded the deed of the cop.
(With inputs from PTI)