Nandurbar (Maharashtra):
Curfew is imposed in some parts of Nandurbar, the tribal district
in North Maharashtra, September 07 after a tussle between police
and members of a local Ganesh Mandal previous night turned into a communal
violence killing one person.
According to Shafeeque Ahmed Qasmi,
Jamiatul Ulema President of Nasik district, members of Sawta Gatum
Shada Ganesh Mandal September 06 were adamant for taking the
procession in prohibited areas mainly dominated by the Muslim
population. Police stopped them and a tussle began between the police and the members of
the Ganesh mandal.
"The fight between the police and
the Ganesh mandal soon took a communal turn when gulals were
thrown on the mosque located in Chirag galli", he added.
"The rioting mob later set shops and
homes adjacent to the mosque on fire and mercilessly beat Shaikh Asif,
a Railway Police personnel, who was in the city on Eid vacation",
he said.
Asif was shifted to Dhule Civil
hospital but succumbed to his injuries next day on September 07.
He was buried in Dhule Qabristan located on Chalisgaon road.
While confirming the incident,
police officials said the situation is now under control and some
parts of the city are under curfew.
"The mob in the procession threw
stones at shops, and soon the riot spread in other parts of the
city", news agency UNI quoted the police sources as saying.
The riot spread to Ali Saheb Mohalla,
Ilahi Chowk, Ghoda Peer area, Maniyar Mohalla, Macchi bazaar,
Sonarkund, Amar cinema hall and other parts. The rioters freely
used iron rods and stones and damaged an autorickshaw, leading to
tension in the city.
Hearing the news, police rushed to
the spot and they tried to quell the rioters, but the mob pelted
stones on the policemen, in which 7-8 policemen were injured.
Following the incident, police
imposed curfew in Chirag galli, Chirag masjid Sonarkund, Amar
cinema hall and other parts of the city.
Additional police force including
the SRP personnel, have been deployed in the city, police added.
Meanwhile, questions are being
raised about the combing operation being carried out by the police
after the riot. Local residents claim that the operation is
limited mainly to Muslim areas and the police is indiscriminately
arresting the Muslims.
The Nandurbar incident is second in
the span of just a week. On August 31, while Muslim were
celebrating Eid, riots broke out in Niwasa city of Ahmednagar
district. Here again fight between two groups took a communal turn
and rioters freely attacked shops belonging to other
community members. Allegation of police bias is reported from here
also.
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