Hyderabad, June 9 -- Several farmers were booked on the day of Bakrid, June 8, for allegedly offering namaz in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district. However, police denied the allegations, saying that an FIR was registered for obstructing government work.

On Sunday, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) staged a sit-in protest outside the Simbhaoli electrical powerhouse, demanding the immediate repair of electricity poles that were felled as a result of storms in the region. Protesters also claimed an official had demanded a Rs 40,000 bribe for approving electrical supply to a tubewell, and demanded strict action against the same.

Since it was Bakrid, a few protesting farmers went to a corner of the substation to offer namaz. Junior engineer Rambal...