Ambedkar Jayanti procession attacked by Islamists in Dhule (A representative image: Times Now Marathi)
In a distressing turn of events on Sunday evening, the tranquillity of a local procession commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was shattered as members of a specific community allegedly launched a targeted attack, pelting stones at participants. The Maharashtra Police swiftly responded, booking 21 individuals, with 7 of them apprehended for their involvement in the deliberate disruption.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sahil Lala Bagwan, Samir Lala Bagwan, Isak Mistri, Kallu Pathan, Vihaan Bagwan, Kausaar Mussa Khatik, and Ajya Khatik. Charged under sections 143, 146, 147, 149, 295, and 296 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, alongside additional provisions of relevant statutes, the accused face legal ramifications for their actions.
According to local reports, the incident unfolded near a local Jama Masjid as the procession made its way through the area. Initial confrontations led to an escalation, with participants being obstructed and subsequently targeted with stones by members of the community.
The timely intervention of Superintendent of Police Shrikant Dhivare helped quell the unrest, as law enforcement swiftly arrived at the scene. However, the gravity of the situation necessitated the filing of an FIR, initiated on the complaint of Govinda Gulab Nagrale, a participant in the procession.
In his complaint, Nagrale detailed the sequence of events, alleging threats and stone-pelting by individuals from the specific community. “The procession was peacefully passing by the Jama Masjid when some persons from the specific community threatened the participants of the procession to stop. They said that no procession would pass by the Masjid. Later, they began pelting stones at the participants. They also raised slogans while pelting stones. Several were injured in the attack,” Nagrale stated, underscoring the severity of the incident.
Furthermore, Nagrale provided crucial identifications of some of the assailants, including Papa Shah, Sadik Shah, Vasim Pathan, Sultan Builder, Junaid Shah, Taufik, and Shoaib, among others, aiding law enforcement in their investigations.
While assuring the public of their efforts to address the situation, SP Dhivare urged restraint, downplaying the incident’s magnitude. “It is a small incident. There’s no need to make a fuss about it. Do not believe in rumours. FIR in the case has been filed. A probe is underway,” Dhivare remarked, seeking to allay concerns amidst ongoing inquiries into the matter.
As authorities continue their probe into the disturbing incident, questions linger regarding communal tensions and the need for sustained efforts to ensure the peaceful coexistence of diverse communities within the region.
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