In Nagpur, Maharashtra, two groups clashed after an organization demonstrated against Aurangzeb’s tomb on Monday. Stone pelting took place from both sides in the Mahal area of Nagpur. Vehicles were set on fire. To pacify both groups, the police fired tear gas shells and lathi-charged. It is being said that four people, including a policeman, were injured in the stone pelting.
This is how the violence started.
Bajrang Dal members demonstrated near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Mahal area to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb. According to the police, rumors spread that a religious book was burnt during the agitation. The video of the Bajrang Dal demonstration went viral on social media, causing outrage among members of the Muslim community. A complaint was lodged at the Ganeshpeth police station in the evening, alleging the burning of the holy book.
Police said that following the complaint, a large number of Muslim community members started gathering in various parts of the city, including Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park. Sensing trouble, police increased patrolling and called in additional security forces to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, stone pelting started between the two groups. Vehicles were set on fire. Four people were injured in the incident. To disperse the mob in the Chitnis Park and Mahal areas, police used tear gas and lathi charges.
The violence also spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, officials said. Police said the Shukrawari Talab road belt from Chitnis Park was the worst hit by the violence. Four-wheelers were set on fire here. Stones were pelted at people’s houses. Stones were pelted at police personnel in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas, following which police fired tear gas shells. Bajrang Dal functionaries denied the allegations and claimed that they had only burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb as part of their protest.
Situation under control: DCP
DCP Nagpur Archit Chandak says that the incident happened due to some misunderstanding. The situation is under control now. Our force is strong here. I appeal to everyone not to come out. Do not pelt stones. Stone pelting was happening, so we used force and also used tear gas.
In Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday, two groups clashed after an organization demonstrated against Aurangzeb’s tomb. There was stone pelting from both sides in the Mahal area of Nagpur. Vehicles were set on fire. To pacify both groups, the police fired tear gas shells and lathi-charged. It is being told that four people, including a policeman, were injured in the stone pelting. Union Minister and MP Nitin Gadkari and CM Devendra Fadnavis have appealed to the people to maintain peace. At the same time, CM Fadnavis is taking updates every moment.
DCP’s leg injured
The DCP said that some vehicles were set on fire; we called the fire brigade and extinguished the fire. Some police personnel were injured. I also suffered a minor injury in my leg during the stone pelting. But we appeal to everyone to maintain peace. Do not believe in rumors. Do not disrupt law and order and cooperate with the police. We are taking legal action. At the same time, a fire brigade official said that two JCBs were set on fire. Some more vehicles were also set on fire. A fireman has been injured.
People should cooperate with the police administration: Fadnavis
The Chief Minister’s Office of Maharashtra said that after stone pelting and a tense situation in the Mahal area of Nagpur, the police administration is handling the situation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed that the citizens should fully cooperate with the administration in this situation. We are constantly in touch with the police administration, and citizens should cooperate with them. Nagpur is a peaceful and cooperative city. This has been the permanent tradition of Nagpur. In such a situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed not to believe any rumor and give full cooperation to the administration.
CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the way the situation became tense in the Mahal area of Nagpur is highly condemnable. Some people even pelted stones at the police. This doesn’t seem right. I am monitoring the situation. I have asked the police commissioner to take whatever strict steps are necessary to maintain law and order. If anyone riots or pelts stones at the police or creates tension in society, strict action should be taken against all such people. I appeal to everyone to behave in a manner to ensure that the peace of Nagpur is not disturbed. If anyone tries to create tension, very strict action will be taken against him.
