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New Delhi, March 91
Violent riots broke out in Nagpur two days ago leaving police and government on the toes to control law and order.
The Nagpur police have arrested over 50 people in connection with the violence that broke out on the night of March 17. The authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage and social media posts to identify any additional suspects involved in the unrest.
The riots have left 33 policemen injured. One woman police constable was allegedly molested during the clashes, as per some media reports.
Clashes erupted in the Chitnis Park area of Mahal around on March 17 with stones hurled at police, leaving six civilians injured. The unrest later spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, intensifying in the evening.
Numerous homes and vehicles were torched, ransacked, vandalism spread at large scale injuring many policemen and civilians. Heavy stone pelting and arson was reported.
The protest turned violent when the crowd began hurling stones and throwing petrol bombs at police officers. Police were reportedly attacked with deadly weapons like axes and iron rods.
The immediate cause was unfounded rumours that the Quran had been burned during a protest by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Sambhaji Nagar.
The protest was organized by groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, who allegedly burned a cloth with "kalma" on it, leading to widespread outrage among Muslim groups.
City Commissioner of Police Ravinder Kumar Singal told media, “The situation is peaceful now, we have imposed a curfew under the area of around 11 police stations. The situation is under control”.
He further stated, “We have taken more than 50 people into custody. Other than that, if people are being seen in CCTV's and in social media posts of doing such acts of violence of damaging property and disturbing peace, then we are identifying them and catching them.”.
A curfew has been enforced in several parts of Nagpur under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in view of the rising tensions. The curfew applies to the jurisdiction of police stations in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who had urged peace and calm at the time of the chaos said that the violence “looks like a well-planned attack”
Ravinder Singal assured residents that the situation is under control and peaceful. Section 144 has been enforced, and people have been advised not to venture out unnecessarily.
