NAGPUR: Nagpur Police on Wednesday arrested local leader Fahim Shamim Khan, who has been accused of orchestrating the communal violence that broke out in the city on Monday, injuring more than 30 police personnel.
The violence, which erupted late Monday night, saw large-scale arson, stone-pelting, and attacks on police personnel, leading to a citywide security crackdown.
The unrest broke out just 2km from the fortified RSS headquarters after protests demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb spiraled out of control. The clashes left at least 10 anti-riot commandos, two IPS officers, and two firemen injured.
Mobs torched two JCB machines and 40 vehicles, vandalized police vans, and clashed with security forces.
Police launched combing operations, arresting at least 50 rioters, while the Union home ministry sought a report on the incident, which comes just weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to the city.
Sources said the violence was triggered by rumours that right-wing activists had burned effigies of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and a religious ‘chadar’ near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate.
The unrest escalated as crowds gathered, demanding action against those involved. Clashes erupted at Chitnis Park Chowk, where riot-control police faced heavy stone-pelting.
As violence spread, curfew was imposed in several areas under Section 163.
Over 1,000 police personnel were deployed across central Nagpur, including in Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura. Key roads such as Fawwara Chowk, Gandhi Putla Chowk, and Badkas Chowk were sealed off. Riot-control vehicles, including water cannons and tear gas units, were used to disperse mobs.
City police, aided by intelligence agencies and the anti-terrorism squad (ATS), are investigating potential security threats. Authorities suspect social media misinformation played a significant role in mobilizing crowds.
19 remanded in Nagpur violence case
The JMFC court on Wednesday remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case to police custody till March 21. A day earlier, police had produced 27 of the 51 accused in the Mahal riots case, with proceedings continuing till midnight.
While police sought a seven-day remand for further interrogation, the court had not ruled on it at the time of reporting. Defence lawyers opposed the remand, claiming wrongful arrests and arguing that many detained individuals were not involved in the violence.
