Violence in Nagpur was premeditated, says CM

CLASHES ERUPTED IN OLD NAGPUR'S MAHAL AREA OVER AURANGZEB'S TOMB DEMOLITION DEMAND

- Surendra P Gangan and Pradip Kumar Maitra

MUMBAI/NAGPUR: The violence that rocked Nagpur during protests over the razing of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave and injured close to 50 people was "pre-planned" with a specific pattern chalked out by groups of people, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday as a political controversy broke out over the communal clashes.

Violent clashes broke out between 8.30 and 9pm on Monday in old Nagpur's Mahal area after a dispute between two groups over razing Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, during a protest initiated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.

The clashes led to vandalism and arson — several vehicles were set ablaze and many incidents of stone pelting were reported. "The mob targeted specific houses and establishments. It [the attack] appears to be premeditated. There appears to be a pre-planned pattern... Whoever has attacked police personnel will not be spared. Normalcy is being restored," chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis said 33 police personnel, including three deputy commissioners and five citizens, were injured in the riots. "One of the DCPs was attacked with an axe and is seriously injured, while one of the citizens injured is in an ICU," he added.

Speaking in the assembly, the CM also touched upon a Bollywood film that appeared to have inflamed passions. I am not blaming any movie. In fact, the Chhava movie has depicted the factual history related to Chhatrapati Sambhaji. However, after that (the release of the movie) people's sentiments have been ignited leading to a lot of anger emerging towards Aurangzeb.

While this is true, it is important to maintain law and order in Maharashtra today, so everyone should exercise patience," he said.

On Tuesday, police arrested 65 people and clamped curfew across 10 police stations.