Maharashtra: Tension Erupts In Cities As Stone Pelting, Clashes Mar Protests Against Anti-Hindu Violence In Bangladesh

Tensions gripped Nashik and Jalgaon cities in Maharashtra after clashes during protests over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The police intervention prevented the issue from escalating.

A 'bandh' called by a Hindu organisation to condemn the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh turned violent in Jalgaon and Nashik cities in north Maharashtra on Friday. 

As Sakal Hindu Samaj, an umbrella body of several outfits, took out a protest march in Jalgaon, stones were hurled at a vehicle showroom, sparking tensions in the area.

"The incident occurred in Jalgaon city this morning during a protest march by the Sakal Hindu Samaj against the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh.Some unidentified persons hurled a few stones at a two-wheeler showroom," an official told news agency PTI.

The glass facade of the showroom got damaged due to the stone pelting.

According to a police official, hundreds of supporters of the Sakal Hindu Samaj participated in the march. Later, the protesters even went to the collector's office to hand over a memorandum of their demands.

Though the stone pelting incident triggered tension for some time, the intervention of the local police brought the situation under control.

"Police personnel were deployed in the city as a precautionary measure," police official said.

Violence Breaks Out In Nashik During Protest Over Bangladesh Issue

In a similar incident, violence broke out in Nashik on Friday after two groups clashed during a bike rally of the Hindu outfit. The police resorted to a mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control.

During the clash, the protestors indulged in stone pelting. Some vehicles were also damaged in the clash that erupted after some shops were found open in the Bhadrakali area.

Commenting on the clash, state Minister Girish Mahajan said: "The police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. There is still tension in the Old Nashik area, but the situation is under control now. When the rally was on, some shops were open. It led to a verbal dispute. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace."

He also said that he spoke to the commissioner of police and district collector, who assured him that the situation was under control.

Bangladesh witnessed a surge in violence against members of the Hindu minority community after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster.

The massive protests against her government over a quota system eventually led to her forceful resignation, leading her to flee to India on August 5.