Tensions Erupt Over Aurangzeb's Tomb: Nagpur Violence Follows Hours of Unrest in Mahal
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Synopsis
Violence erupted in Nagpur over the Aurangzeb tomb controversy, leading to curfews. The unrest started in Mahal and escalated after a morning demonstration, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Key Takeaways
- Curfew imposed in several Nagpur areas.
- Unrest escalated from Mahal after a morning protest.
- Police intervened to prevent larger violence.
- Over 32 vehicles were torched.
- Significant police injuries reported.
Nagpur/New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) As multiple areas in Nagpur are currently under curfew due to escalating communal tensions surrounding the Aurangzeb tomb issue, it has come to light that the unrest initiated in the early hours of Monday within Mahal, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods.
The police intervened to prevent the situation from evolving into widespread communal violence, but as evening approached, the ‘charged atmosphere’ in certain areas led to significant mob violence.
Senior police officials, including three DCPs and one SP, sustained injuries from incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism, while over 32 vehicles were set ablaze by the mob, apparently incited by the alleged desecration of a ‘chadar’ that had holy texts inscribed on it.
According to the police report obtained by IANS, the unrest did not occur suddenly; tensions had been brewing since the morning and reached a critical point with the onset of dusk.
Initial reports linked the violence in parts of Nagpur to rumors regarding the desecration of a holy book during a demonstration by members of a Hindu organization advocating for the removal of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s tomb in the Khuldabad area.
IANS has accessed the police report detailing the chain of events and 'triggers' that led to the communal unrest and violence.
As per the report from Nagpur police, a group of locals gathered in the Mahal area around 11:30 a.m. to protest against the alleged sacrilege of the holy chadar. However, they were denied permission and urged by police to disperse.
This gathering of the Muslim community was followed by a demonstration from VHP and Bajrang Dal members that morning, who chanted slogans against the Mughal ruler and demanded the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
The police also filed charges against some of these protestors affiliated with Hindu organizations under Section 227, Section 37 (1) (3), and Section 229.
The unrest that began in the morning escalated alarmingly after the noon prayer at around 1:30 p.m.
They alleged that VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters had burned a ‘chadar’ (green cloth) inscribed with sacred verses. As tensions heightened on both sides, the situation threatened to escalate into a severe communal confrontation, but police intervened to prevent a rampage.
Following this, leaders from the Muslim community filed a complaint with the police, who assured them of stringent action against the ‘rogue elements’ responsible for offending their religious sentiments.
However, the situation again deteriorated when over 200 individuals from the specific community, their faces covered and armed with rods, took to the streets in the Hansapuri area, rampaging and setting vehicles ablaze, as well as vandalizing public property.
The mob not only shouted provocative slogans but also hurled stones at businesses and residences in the vicinity.
According to police reports, more than a dozen vehicles were torched and numerous shops vandalized by the mob.
A communal flare-up was reported from Tehsil Agrasen Chowk, where members of two communities clashed, leading to slogan shouting and stone-pelting. One individual was injured from stone-pelting, and several vehicles were burned and damaged.
In the Ganesh Peth area, hooligans ran amok, pelting stones at police officers. There were also attempts to set police vehicles on fire. Police endeavored to disperse the crowd but came under attack from stone-throwers.
As per police information, at least one crane, two JCBs, three cars, and over 20 motorcycles were burned, and public properties were damaged by the unruly mob.
More than 47 protestors have been detained thus far. Many police officials, including senior officers up to the rank of DCP and SP, have sustained injuries during the mob violence, with at least 33 policemen reported hurt, 14-15 of which are serious.
The Nagpur police have launched an extensive manhunt to apprehend the stone throwers and vandals who attacked police and fire brigade personnel. A significant contingent of SRPF and RAF personnel remains deployed in sensitive areas to maintain order and avert further flare-ups.
Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed in several regions of Nagpur, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Lakadganj, Pachpaoali, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors and to ignore rumors.
