15 Held After Violence During Demolition of Unauthorized Dargah in Nashik City

The Operation Faced Stiff Resistance as a Violent Mob Gathered in an Attempt to Stop the Demolition

- Shrinivas Deshpande

PUNE: Nashik police arrested 15 individuals in connection with violence that broke out during the demolition of illegal structures at the Saatpeer Dargah on Tuesday night.

Officials from the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), trustees of the Saatpeer Dargah, and police personnel jointly launched the action to remove unauthorized encroachments around 11 pm. The operation, carried out with the help of four JCBs, eight dumpers, and seven vehicles, was based on a Bombay High Court order declaring the structure unauthorized.

However, the operation faced stiff resistance as a violent mob gathered in an attempt to stop the demolition. Police said the mob turned aggressive and began pelting stones, forcing them to resort to a mild lathi charge and use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.