Who is Monu Manesar, Bajrang Dal member linked to Haryana violence?

Clashes erupted in Haryana's Nuh during a religious procession on July 31. Six people have died in the violence while 116 have been arrested so far.

Police said the violence was triggered after rumours spread that Monu Manesar would be attending the procession organised by Bajrang Dal and VHP.

But who is Monu Manesar whose name has cropped up at the centre of communal clashes?

Monu Manesar alias Mohit Yadav is the head of the cow vigilante wing of Bajrang Dal in Haryana.

He hails from Manesar district of Gurugram. The 30-year-old gained notoriety as a leader of Gorakhsha Dal, a cow protection unit of Bajrang Dal.

He was booked in connection with the killing of two Muslim men in Bhiwani in February.

Monu Manesar has tens of thousands of followers on YouTube and Facebook.

He was also a member of a district cow protection task force set up by the Haryana government.

He is reportedly a polytechnic diploma holder and joined the Bajrang Dal during his second year of college.