Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses Nagpur unrest, urging public cooperation with police to maintain peace. He warns of strict action against those inciting violence.Key Takeaways
- CM Fadnavis calls for peace and order in Nagpur.
- Police injuries reported during unrest.
- Curfew imposed following violence.
- About 30 individuals detained for disturbance.
- Political parties urge public to avoid rumors.
Mumbai, March 18 (NationPress) Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, who has previously urged citizens to support the police in ensuring peace and law and order, convened a meeting on Monday evening with Nagpur's district guardian minister and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to assess the situation.
He consulted with senior police officials regarding the ground reality and instructed them to restore calm.
The Chief Minister has been actively overseeing the situation and has urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.
"If anyone is inciting unrest in society, throwing stones at the police, or attempting to disrupt the peace, strict action will be taken against them," he cautioned.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Niketan Kadam was among the police personnel injured during the stone pelting incident.
Kadam sustained a hand injury after allegedly being attacked by a mob using an axe.
Police reports indicate that a mob engaged in arson and stone pelting in the Mahal area of Nagpur.
The mob also set several vehicles ablaze, leading to significant financial damage due to the violence.
A large contingent of Nagpur Police arrived to disperse the aggressive mob, with police officials present to manage the situation.
Following the arson and stone-pelting incidents, a curfew has been imposed in Nagpur.
The police are taking action against anti-social elements.
Currently, around 30 individuals have been detained.
Police sources have stated that the condition in Nagpur is under control.
They are actively searching for those involved in the violence and have urged citizens not to fall for rumors but to cooperate with law enforcement.
On another note, both ruling and opposition parties have called for maintaining peace, discouraging reliance on rumors, and cooperating with police efforts.
The Opposition has demanded a thorough investigation into Monday’s violent confrontations, stone pelting, and arson.
BJP legislator Praveen Satke has claimed that outsiders were involved in the arson incidents.
“A protest occurred in the morning, but police intervened. Later that night, stones were thrown in the Mahal area and other locations, leading to vehicles being set ablaze. Fire brigade personnel were assaulted. Outsiders were responsible for setting ordinary citizens' homes on fire and for the large-scale stone pelting,” he asserted.
“Now the situation is under control. Individuals from both factions clashed on the streets. They engaged in violence. The Chief Minister must take immediate action against these individuals. I will personally visit Nagpur to assess the situation,” stated Datke, who represents the Nagpur Central Assembly seat.
Pune NCP-SP chief Prashant Jagtap described the Nagpur incident as regrettable.
“Does the state prioritize peace or riots? As new industries are about to emerge, a positive atmosphere has begun to take shape. Citizens are being distracted from pressing issues like inflation. The situation in Nagpur must be stabilized. Otherwise, ordinary voters may take to the streets. With local elections approaching, we must consider whether this unrest is intentional,” he added.
