Nagpur witnessed incidents of arson and stone pelting on Monday night, prompting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to hold an emergency meeting with Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior officials.
He urged citizens to cooperate with the police to maintain peace and law and order.
Reviewing the situation, CM Fadnavis directed officials to take strict action against those inciting violence.
He assured that authorities were closely monitoring developments and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands.
“If anyone is creating tension in the society, throwing stones at the police or trying to disturb the peace, strict action will be taken against them,” the Chief Minister stated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Niketan Kadam sustained a hand injury when a mob attacked him with an axe.
Police sources reported that the Mahal area saw significant unrest, with mobs resorting to arson and stone pelting, resulting in damage to vehicles and property.
Authorities anticipate considerable financial losses due to the destruction.
Police deployed a heavy force to control the situation.
In response to the escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in Nagpur.
So far, police have detained around 30 people and are working to identify more suspects.
Officials assured that the situation was under control and urged people not to believe in rumours.
Political leaders from both ruling and opposition parties have appealed for calm and cooperation with the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has called for a thorough probe into the violent clashes.
BJP legislator Praveen Datke alleged that outsiders were responsible for the violence.
He claimed, “There was a protest in the morning, but the police intervened. At night, stones were pelted in the Mahal area and other areas. Vehicles set on fire. Fire brigade personnel beaten up. People from outside were responsible for putting houses of ordinary people on fire and a large scale stone pelting.”
Datke, representing Nagpur Central Assembly seat further noted, “Now the situation is under control. People from both sides had come on the road. They committed violence. The Chief Minister should take immediate action against these people. I will go to Nagpur myself and inspect the situation.”
Meanwhile, Pune NCP-SP chief Prashant Jagtap called the incident unfortunate and questioned whether someone was orchestrating such unrest ahead of the local elections.
“Does the state want peace or riots? Just as new industries are about to come up, a positive atmosphere has begun to emerge. Authorities are diverting citizens from other issues instead of focusing on inflation. Bring the situation in Nagpur under control. Otherwise, ordinary voters will take to the streets. There are local government elections in the coming period. Therefore, we will have to see if this is being done deliberately,” he remarked.
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