College student slits bus conductor's throat citing blasphemy; UP police with retaliation

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh police arrested an engineering student who allegedly attacked a bus conductor and seriously injured him for insulting the Prophet. Lareb Hashmi (20), a first-year student of United Engineering College and a native of Hajiganj in Prayagraj, was arrested. Lareb, who was injured in police firing while trying to escape, is undergoing treatment.

Bus conductor Harikesh Vishwakarma was injured in the attack. According to the police, the two had a heated argument inside the bus over the ticket price and then Lareb used a machete to cut Harikesh's neck. Lareb ran away from the bus and escaped inside the college campus. In a video released later, Lareb admitted to attacking the conductor because of the latter's blasphemous comments.

“He insulted Muslims. That's why I attacked. He will surely die,” Lareb says in the video. In the video, Lareb mentions the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Shortly after the release of the video, the police entered the campus and arrested Lareb. A weapon used to cut the conductor was also recovered. It was during this time that he tried to escape. But the police subdued him by shooting him in the leg. Hospital sources indicate that the bus conductor's injuries are serious but not life-threatening. Lareb's father Muhammad Yunus is a poultry businessman in the city.

"I have kiIIed that kafir because he Mocked our IsIam" This guy is Md Lareb Hashmi, he sIit throat of a Bus conductor named Hariksh Vishwakarma over some dispute. After that he made a video confessing the crime as well. The incident is said to be from Prayagraj, UP.… pic.twitter.com/qCKemeieRl

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) November 24, 2023