In the Mira Road suburb of Mumbai, bulldozers have demolished “illegal” constructions, accompanied by a large contingent of police and security personnel. The area was the scene of violence both before and after Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday.
Videos went viral:
Videos of the incidents that occurred on Sunday night and Monday afternoon, in the final hours following the controversial temple consecration, were widely circulated on social media and featured two groups hurling stones at one another.
Clashes broke out while Shobha Yatra:
Over a dozen people had been taken into custody by police as of Monday night about the clashes, which broke out while a Shri Ram Shobha Yatra was passing through the Naya Nagar neighborhood of Mira Road. Stones were thrown at the procession, which included vehicles and motorcycles flying saffron flags, according to the police, who also stated that some people were hurt.
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On Monday night, Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated on X that “anyone trying to disrupt law and order” in the state would face harsh consequences.
“Only last night were all the details of the incident in the Naya Nagar area of Mira-Bhyander taken. I communicated with the Mira-Bhyander Police Commissioner nonstop until three thirty on Monday morning.”
He further added “Police have been instructed to take strict action against the accused. In this case, 13 accused have been detained so far and the process of identifying the other accused is underway by checking the CCTV footage. Anyone trying to disrupt law and order in Maharashtra will not be tolerated.”
Jayant Bajbale, Deputy Commissioner of Police said the conflict broke out at 11 pm on Sunday “when some people of the Hindu community were raising slogans in three-four vehicles…”
“Shortly after, an argument broke out between the Hindu community and some people belonging to the Muslim community. Seeing the deteriorating situation, the police vehicle immediately reached the spot and took some people into custody,” he was quoted by news agency PTI.
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The situation was brought under control and a flag march was conducted, Mr Bajbale later said
