INDIA. Mumbai: One civilian and several policemen were injured, and vehicles were burned when clashes broke out between two groups in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) in Maharashtra in the wee hours of Thursday. The incident occurred in the Kiradpura area of Aurangabad.
A fight broke out when a pair of males from one neighbourhood allegedly shouted offensive slogans at another group, provoking the conflict. When the altercations intensified, the mob started throwing stones and setting fire to many cars, including several that belonged to the police.
Police Commissioner Nikhil Gupta told the reporters that five to six automobiles had been set on fire. The mob comprised 500-600 people. 16 policemen were injured.
An offence has been registered against over 400 people under sections 307,253,395, 332,333,143,147, 153 of the Indian Penal Code at Jinsi Police Station. The matter is being investigated. However, a Ram temple in the area is safe, he added.
Imtiyaz Jaleel, an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP from Aurangabad, posted two videos from within the temple, together with temple staff, to emphasise that conflicts occurred around the temple but that the temple was not damaged.
The clashes took place outside, on the roads. He encouraged peace and cooperation and urged that Ram Navami and Ramzan be celebrated peacefully. “Let us not allow a few miscreants to disrupt peace and serenity,” he urged.
The riots that began at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday were brought under control by police by 3.30 a.m. since there was heavy stone pelting and the miscreants had broken the street lights.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “I’ve talked to top police officials. In the early hours, a situation arose, but it is now under control. Police are carrying out their duties.”
Atul Salve, a minister for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was also present in an effort to defuse the situation. Sabdipan Bhumare, a BJP politician, also went to the area and pleaded for harmony. He promised that anyone culpable would face harsh punishment.
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