AHMEDABAD: Authorities on Saturday demolished “illegally constructed” houses of six of 14 accused arrested for attacking commuters and rioting in the Vastral area of the city, police said.
Fourteen persons, one of them a minor, were apprehended after a mob attacked some passersby with sticks and swords, leaving three injured and as many vehicles damaged, inspector S B Chaudhari of Ramol police station said.
Ramol Police arrested 14 accused, including a juvenile, for their involvement in the incident following a complaint lodged by Alap Soni, a resident of the area. A mob of 20 men armed with sticks, swords and knives created terror by vandalising vehicles and beating up people in Vastral on Thursday night.
Chaudhari said the houses of six of the arrested accused were found to be constructed illegally and were demolished in the Amraiwadi and Khokhar localities.
Family members of the accused created a ruckus, but the police brought them under control and prevented them from hindering the demolition work.
Soni, in his complaint, stated that he and his family were celebrating his parents’ marriage anniversary. “Around 9pm, I along with my uncle Kashyapbhai and other family members left in a car to for CTM,” he stated in the complaint.
The complainant stated that while they were passing through Nirant Crossroads, a group of about 20 people armed with sticks, swords, and pipes blocked their car and attacked them. They were stopping passersby and damaging vehicles with their weapons.
“We got out of the car to plead with them not to damage our vehicle. However, the group attacked us, threatening to kill us if we resisted. A person stabbed me in the back and on my right hand, while my uncle was hit on the head with a pipe,” he stated in the FIR.
“The FIR has been lodged against Pankaj, Khatu, Govind, Ashil, Vishesh, Ravi, Mayur, Shyam and 12 others,” said a police official.
Bystanders gathered around, but the attackers continued shouting and causing damage. “They later fled on two-wheelers, leaving us injured,” said Soni.
Purported videos of police publicly flogging some of these accused also surfaced. Later, another video went viral where the 13 accused were paraded in the area, and they were seen pleading and demanding an apology for the incident.
On Thursday, a video purportedly of the group attacking passersby and a car also went viral.
Krunal Desai, assistant commissioner of police I-Division, said, “While we were checking their details, it was established that six of the 13 accused were staying in illegally constructed houses. The report was sent to the corporation, and a corporation team, based on the report, carried out the demolition.”
The cops registered a case under BNS section 109(1) (attempt to murder), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 189(4) (unlawful assembly being armed with deadly weapons), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 324(6) (mischief), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) among others.
Supremacy ploy by two gangs: Cops
Cops said that the attack on Thursday night was to establish supremacy in the area by two gangs operating in the area. “The gang members were roaming in the area to target members of the rival gang,” said a senior police official. “During this time, the group gathered and moved towards Mahadev Nagar Nirant Crossroads, vandalising vehicles and attacking anyone in their path. The accused caused chaos by throwing stones and brandishing swords, assaulting passersby while hurling abusive language at them,” the official added.
