NEW DELHI: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting with top police officials on Saturday to review the recent communal violence in Nagpur triggered by Aurangzeb tomb row. Speaking to the media afterward, he warned that damages would be recovered from the rioters, adding, “Wherever required, bulldozers will also be used.”
The unrest, which unfolded on March 17, led to widespread stone-pelting and arson after rumours spread about the burning of a “chadar” with sacred inscriptions during a protest by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Detailing the developments, CM Fadnavis said, “Today, I reviewed the incident that happened in Nagpur with the police officers. The entire sequence of events and the actions taken have been reviewed. The replica of Aurangzeb’s grave was burnt in the morning. An FIR was filed on it, but people were gathered after a rumour was spread that a verse from the Quran was written on it. The crowd pelted stones and committed arson. The police have taken preventive action. Based on CCTV footage, those who were rioting are being arrested. 104 people have been arrested so far. The police will arrest more people. Police action will be taken against those who are involved in the riots or are helping the rioters. Those who spread rumours on social media will also be made co-accused. 68 social media posts have been identified and deleted so far.”
Fadnavis also added, “whatever damage has happened will be recovered from the rioters. If they do not pay the money, then their property will be sold for the recovery. Wherever required, bulldozers will also be used,” he said.
The chief minister also stated that it was too early to determine whether there was any foreign or Bangladeshi involvement in the violence, assuring that the investigation was ongoing.
Meanwhile, Nagpur police arrested 14 more individuals on Friday, including Minorities Democratic Party working president Hamid Engineer, bringing the total number of arrests to 105.
Deputy commissioner of police Lohit Matani confirmed the arrests, stating that among those detained were 10 minors. Authorities have also registered three additional FIRs in connection with the violence.