Maharashtra: More than 20 cops injured, several detained as violence erupts over dargah demolition in Nashik
PTC News Desk: At least 21 police personnel were injured and four vehicles damaged after a mob attacked them while objecting demolition of unauthorised dargah in Maharashtra’s Nashik city.
So far at least 22 suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the violence. Cops confirmed that 57 motorcycles belonging to suspects have been seized.
The police fired tear gas and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The demolition operation was carried out by the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The civic team, comprising 40 personnel, was accompanied by four JCBs, eight dumpers, and seven vehicles.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kiran Chavan, "A team had arrived to remove the illegal structure. However, a crowd began protesting. Though the dargah’s trustee and a prominent citizen tried to pacify them, the mob ignored their appeals and began pelting stones at the police and the citizen."
Earlier in February, several unauthorised structures were demolished near the dargah by anti-encroachment body. Soon after the demolition, several Hindu outfits alleged that the dargah itself was unauthorised.
"As per the HC order, the Satpeer Dargah trustees started the process of removing the structure on Tuesday night. A violent mob gathered to oppose the removal and pelted stones at police and Muslim leaders who went to pacify the protesters," Nashik Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik said.
- With inputs from agencies
