Large Gatherings Banned In Nagpur As Unrest Grows Amid Aurangzeb Tomb Row

Bajrang Dal members staged a demonstration near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area when rumours of the desecration of the Quran spread.

Bajrang Dal and VHP workers take part in a protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Nagpur on Monday.

Source : PTI

Another clash broke out in Nagpur's Hansapuri area and several houses and vehicles were vandalised late Monday night as the unrest grew amid demands for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in this Maharashtra city. 

The city saw tense scenes after Bajrang Dal members staged a demonstration near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area. Soon, rumours of the desecration of the Quran spread which triggered outrage, leaving six people and three policemen injured. 

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from the Mahal area of Nagpur, where a clash took place last night following a dispute between two groups. pic.twitter.com/N2GszenlwG

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Videos of the demonstration circulated on social media. A complaint was subsequently filed at the Ganeshpeth police station, alleging the burning of the holy book. A clash broke out in the Hansapuri area near the Old Bhandara Road between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm and an unruly mob burnt several vehicles and vandalised houses and a clinic.

Nagpur CP Dr Ravinder Singal said Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (empowering Magistrates to issue immediate preventive orders in urgent cases to prevent obstruction, danger to human life, public disturbance, or riots, and can be directed at individuals, specific areas, or the general public) has been imposed in the city.

CM Fadnavis Appeals For Peace

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for peace in the area and asked people to not believe in rumours. 

He said, "The police are managing the situation following stone pelting and tense situation in the Mahal area...Nagpur is a peaceful city where people share in each other's joys and sorrows, which has always been Nagpur's tradition. Do not believe any rumours."

Nagpur Deputy Commissioner of Police Archit Chandak said police had to use tear gas after some people pelted stones at the police team. 

"Stone pelting was taking place, so we displayed a show of force and also used tear gas...A few vehicles were set ablaze, we doused the fire by calling Fire Brigade...A few police personnel were injured, and I too sustained a little injury in my leg during stone pelting. But we urge everyone to maintain peace," he added.