Nagpur: After the demand of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s removal of the grave in Khultabad, there were violent clashes in mid -Nagpur on Monday night, which spirals in chaos, causing dozens of injuries and widespread destruction.
At least 10 anti-Danga commandos, two senior police officers and two firemen suffered serious wounds in unrest, while a constable is in critical condition in the hospital. Mobs tortured two bulldozers and 40 vehicles with police vans, as security forces fought to include violence. The police arresting 50 rioters and initiated a large -scale action, while MHA sought a report on unrest two weeks before PM Modi’s expected visit to Nagpur. Violence erupted after rumors that protesters from a particular community had burnt Aurangzeb and a religious Chadar effigies near Shivaji Putla Square at the palace gate – barely 2 km from the RSS headquarters.
Fadnavis, Gadkari urged the residents of Nagpur not to believe in rumors
Violence reports initiated a rapid response to another community, gathering to demand action against those responsible for the large crowd. Protests fought stoned, arson and a struggle with the police. Officials said the misunderstanding spread through social media played a major role in promoting violence.
Security forces used riot-control vehicles, including water cannons and tear gas units, to spread the crowd. DCPS Archit Chandak and Niketan Kadam were injured while trying to control the crowd. The firefighters were also caught in a crossfire as they tried to extinguish the burning vehicles. Many neighborhoods were stressed as sporadic violence continued.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Single deployed more than 1,000 officers and gave prohibitory orders in the palace, Chitnis Park Chowk and Bhaldarpura, banning the movement in the most sensitive areas. Major roads were sealed. Strengthening and intelligence teams worked to prevent moving forward. However, throwing sporadic stones continued at night.
Police deployed monitoring teams with vehicles equipped with CCTV and public address systems to monitor the situation and warning. The authorities also activated local peace committees, urging community leaders to intervene and reduce stress.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari appealed to calm down. “Nagpur has always been a peaceful city, where people are co -existence in harmony. I urge citizens not to believe in rumors and cooperate with law enforcement,” Fadnavis said. Parent Minister Chandrashekhar Bawanakul, Parent of Nagpur visited the affected areas.
Central Nagpur MLA Praveen Datke alleged that “outsiders” were brought to instigate the violence. “We have instructed the police to take strict action against those responsible people,” he said. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, where Aurangzeb’s tomb is located, VHP and Bajrang Dal staged the protest. If the government failed to work, the protesters warned of the demolition of the mausoleum.
The VHP indicated to increase its movement in Marathwada and other districts if the demands are not met.
