NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday issued a stern warning to those responsible for the Nagpur violence, stating that those who attacked policemen will be “dug out from their graves” and brought to justice.
“Those who attacked police during the arson in Nagpur will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable. They will get the strictest punishment. We won’t spare them,” Fadnavis said in Maharashtra assembly as reported by PTI.
His statement comes amid outrage over rioters allegedly manhandling a woman constable and attempting to disrobe her during Monday night’s violence. The mob had hurled stones and petrol bombs, injuring 33 police personnel, including three DCP-rank officers.
Fadnavis asserted that the violence was premeditated with the intent to disturb social harmony.
“The Nagpur police commissioner said the investigation would decide whether the violence was pre-planned. I haven’t said anything contradictory,” he clarified.
He assured that the situation in Nagpur city is now calm.
The chief minister, who hails from Nagpur, emphasised that the city is known for its peace and communal harmony.
“No riot occurred in the city after 1992. The violence was planned by some people. Only a replica of Aurangzeb’s grave was burnt (during the VHP’s protest). We have verified that no ayat (verses from the Quran) was burnt. But rumours were spread deliberately,” he said.
Fadnavis warned that those who spread such rumours to disturb social harmony would face strict action, adding that some arrests had already been made.
On Monday night, mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur, damaging vehicles, hurling petrol bombs and stones at police, and attacking houses.
The violence was reportedly triggered by rumours that a ‘chadar’ with holy inscriptions had been burnt during a VHP-led protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Some rioters allegedly touched a woman constable inappropriately and attempted to disrobe her during the violence, as per an FIR.