MAHAL TENSE ROW OVER AURANGZEB’S TOMB TRIGGERS VIOLENCE

• Cops resort to lathi-charge; curbs on large gatherings across city 
• Tension erupts in evening as mob damages vehicles, resorts to stone-pelting after VHP and Bajrang Dal members stage agitation during the day against Aurangzeb’s tomb n DCP Niketan Kadam injured in axe attack by miscreants, three other cops also sustain injuries 
• Cops fire tear gas shells, resort to lathi-charge to control the situation 
• Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita imposed in city
• CM Fadnavis, Union Minister Gadkari, Guardian Minister Bawankule, NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, Minorities Commission chief Pyare Khan appeal to people to maintain peace 
• CM to make a statement on the incident in State Legislature today 
• Cops detain suspects, keep a close eye on social media posts 

 

 

 

Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mahal around noon on Monday. Videos of the demonstration quickly went viral on social media, which led to outrage among another community. They alleged that the protesters had burned a ‘Chadar’ with Ayat of Quran and four stars, and lodged a complaint at Ganeshpeth Police Station in the evening. Following the complaint, the mob started moving towards Chitnis Park and set afire vehicles on the streets. They also pelted stones at homes in Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park areas. Sensing possibility of an unrest, the police intensified patrolling and summoned additional security forces to maintain law and order. Bajrang Dal office-bearers, however, refuted the allegations and claimed that they had only burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb as part of their demonstration.

 

 

 

MAHAL area that witnessed ‘Shiv Jayanti’ celebrations during day time on Monday saw tension the same evening after activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal demanded removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. A mob went on rampage alleging that Bajrang Dal activists had burned a ‘Chadar’ with Ayat of Quran during the protest. The mob took to streets, damaged vehicles, attacked policemen, resorted to arson and stone-pelting in residential areas. The cops had to fire tear gas shells and cane-charge to disperse the violent mob as disturbance started spreading to adjoining Kotwali and Ganeshpeth areas. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal and Joint Commissioner of Police Nisar Tamboli rushed to the spot.

 

 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Zone V) Niketan Kadam sustained injuries in the melee as a miscreant attacked him with an axe while police were busy in the combing Contd from page 1 operation. DCP Zone II Rahul Madne too sustained minor injuries after a stone hit him. Many cops also sustained injuries in the stone-pelting. As the miscreants torched vehicles during the commotion, fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the burning vehicles. A Fire Brigade personnel also was injured in the chaos. In the aftermath, a large city police force started combing operation in the areas and nabbed the suspects. While efforts to restore peace were on, tension prevailed as crowds were on the streets and lanes. Shops had closed down early in the evening. In the lane where the old Hislop College was located, a mob pelted stones at cops deployed to restore normalcy.

 

The mob damaged several vehicles in the lane, and also pelted stones at residences of some of the social workers including Convener of Shri Shivrajyabhishek Sohala Samiti, Mahal, Datta Shirke. Shirke confirmed this to ‘The Hitavada’. The residents of the area stayed indoors out of fear. A Tata Safari car (UP-16/AN-1317) also was damaged by the miscreants. Tyres of an excavator also were set on fire in Chitnis Park area. Though the cops had put up barricades, mob went berserk damaging them. As details emerged, the mob had also set afire another car (MH-49/AS-6441) parked by the roadside. Several two-wheelers, an e-rickshaw, roadside stalls also were damaged by the unruly mob. The pieces of shattered glass lay strewed on the road. The scene continued to be tense till late in the night. Nagpur Police appealed to the people through a post on ‘X’, not to believe in rumours but to help cops restore normalcy and public tranquility in the city. Around 10.30 pm, Dr Singal told mediapersons that the cops had begun search operations in various lanes and bylanes of Mahal area.

 

The cops had started rounding up the suspects behind the arson and stone-pelting, and Nagpur Police’s cyber cell was keeping an eye on social media posts. Following the tension, various leaders issued appeals to the people to maintain peace. Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of Nagpur district Chandrashekhar Bawankule, former Home Minister and NCP-Sharad Pawar leader Anil Deshmukh, Chairman of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission Pyare Khan, also have appealed to people of Nagpur to extend co-operation to police and the administration and uphold Nagpur’s tradition of unity and brotherhood. Late in the night, Fadnavis said that he would make a statement regarding the incident in the State Legislature during the ongoing Budget Session on Tuesday. 

 

 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nagpur’s Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule urged people to cooperate with administration and police. Immediately after violence erupted at Mahal in Nagpur, Fadnavis and Bawankule held a meeting in Mumbai where the State Legislature Session is in progress. Both discussed the violent incident. Fadnavis gave instructions to police and administration to handle the situation with care. He also asked them to be tough against the miscreants. Fadnavis urged people to cooperate with the administration and police. Nagpur is known for its peaceful nature. People should not believe in rumours. I am constantly in touch with police who are doing their duty. People take proactive steps and try to bring peace. Chandrashekhar Bawankule pointed out, “We took stock of the situation. It is an unfortunate incident. We are constantly appealing people to stay calm. Nagpur has never witnessed such type of violence. We expect people to work for peace. They should not only cooperate with the police, but join them in establishing peace.”