Maharashtra Gurudwara Attack: 4 Cops Injured After Sword-Wielding Men Storm Sikh Temple In Nanded; 18 Arrested

Sword-wielding mob barged out of the gurdwara, broke the barricades put up by police and attacked the policemen after permission to celebrate 'Hola Mohalla' tradition was denied in Maharashtra's Nanded due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several vehicles were also damaged in the violence.

Image: ANI/Twitter

Nanded (Maharashtra): At least four police personnel were injured after a mob of sword-wielding men on Monday went on a rampage outside a gurudwara after being denied permission to hold a public procession in Maharashtra's Nanded due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several visuals have emerged from the incident showing the sword-wielding mob barging out of the gurdwara, breaking the barricades put up by police and attacking the policemen after permission to celebrate 'Hola Mohalla' tradition was denied. Several vehicles were also damaged in the violence.

News agency PTI quoted Nanded Range DIG Nisar Tamboli saying, "Permission for the Hola Mohalla public procession was not granted due to the pandemic. The gurdwara committee was informed and they had assured us that they would abide by our directives and hold the event inside the gurdwara premises."

"However, when the Nishan Sahib was brought at the gate around 4 pm, several participants started arguing and over 300 youth stormed out of the gate, broke the barricades and began attacking the policeman," official added.

As per latest updates, one of the four injured constables continues to be serious. An FIR has been registered against at least 200 people under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntary causing hurt with dangerous weapons), 188 (Disobeying the order of public servant), 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The police have filed three different cases in the matter and arrested at least 18 people so far, who were indulged in violence.