On 20 Jan 2021 at least eight persons were injured after people from two communities clashed with each other following a dispute in the Sardhana area of Meerut. Five FIRs will be registered in the case, police said. "Four FIRs - two from each side and an FIR on the complaint of police - will be registered in the case," Keshav Kumar, superintendent of police (rural areas) said. It all began on Wednesday afternoon when a man named Ashraf objected to people "gambling" in Jagmohan Nagar locality. Peeved over the objection, miscreants allegedly roughed up Ashraf who later approached police with complaint. A panchayat was quickly convened which demanded strict action against the miscreants who attacked Ashraf. The matter escalated towards the evening after one group led by supporters of a local MLA allegedly attacked the rivals near Ghari Khatikan locality. Witnesses at the spot claimed the face-off resulted in violence and vandalism while the outnumbered police at the scene alerted senior officials for reinforcement. A purported video of men from one community, armed with rods and sticks, vandalizing shops in the area also surfaced.