In Muzaffarnagar, three people have been arrested following a violent mob attack where an accused individual was forcibly freed from police custody during an arrest related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Three persons were arrested on Thursday for allegedly pelting stones at a police team and forcibly freeing an accused from custody in Khatoli town here, officials said.
The incident took place on Wednesday when a police team visited the residence of Vinod, who is wanted in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, to take him into custody.
Circle Officer (CO) Ramashish Yadav told reporters that the police successfully apprehended Vinod, but a mob gathered at the spot and opposed the action.
The group allegedly pelted stones at police personnel and managed to forcibly free Vinod from custody before fleeing, he said.
"We have registered a case against several individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932," the CO said.
The three arrestees have been identified as Sunder, Sonu, and Upendra, the police said.
A search operation has been launched to nab Vinod and identify others involved in the attack, while security has been stepped up in the area to maintain law and order, they added.