Residents of Nagpur describe violent unrest following a VHP protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb, leading to vandalism, vehicle arson, and delayed police response. Eyewitnesses report targeted attacks on Hindu properties and assert the events were premeditated. Amid significant injuries among police, officials express intentions to ensure accountability and maintain order through curfews.
Residents of Nagpur recounted a harrowing night when violence erupted following a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s tomb. Eyewitnesses reported that the police response was delayed, leading to accusations from a BJP lawmaker that authorities abandoned “Hindu citizens” amidst the chaos. The unrest began after a photo of Aurangzeb was burned during the protest, which may have sparked tensions in the community.
Starting at approximately 7:30 PM at Chitnis Park, mobs engaged in aggressive acts, including throwing stones at police officers, resulting in numerous injuries. The violence escalated when they vandalized cars and houses in the vicinity, with residents sharing their distress through accounts of destruction and attempts to extinguish burning vehicles. A subsequent incident occurred in the Hansapuri area, where vehicles were set ablaze, and buildings were vandalized.
Eyewitness Sharad Gupta, a local grocery store owner, described the chaos that unfolded as he witnessed mobs setting vehicles on fire. He attempted to intervene but faced stone-throwing assailants. Other residents echoed Gupta’s experience of police inaction, claiming law enforcement arrived only after the violence subsided. Sunil Peshne reported that his car was destroyed by a large mob.
Furthermore, another resident from Hansapuri noted that masked individuals armed with rods and sharp weapons instigated the mayhem, damaging shops and vehicles indiscriminately. Local businesses, including a tea shop and a clinic, faced significant destruction, with furniture and medical supplies vandalized. BJP MLA Pravin Datke asserted that the violence was “pre-planned,” targeting Hindu properties specifically and emphasizing his frustrations over the police’s lack of support.
In response to the unrest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has vowed accountability for the violence, labeling it a “premeditated conspiracy.” Reports indicated that over thirty police personnel sustained injuries, emphasizing the violence’s severity. As the situation unfolded, officials reinforced a curfew in parts of Nagpur to maintain order and prevent further unrest.
The violent events in Nagpur highlight significant concerns regarding community tensions and police response during civil unrest. Eyewitness accounts reveal a troubling pattern of targeted attacks and insufficient law enforcement intervention. The statements from local leaders indicate an urgent need for investigation and resolution to prevent recurrence of such incidents, which threaten public safety and community relations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
