Ram Temple Inauguration: A procession taken out in Thane district on the occasion of the Ram temple idol consecration in Ayodhya was pelted with stones by miscreants on Monday evening, as reported by news agency PTI, citing police officials. The stone pelting incident came hours after a clash broke out between members of two communities during a vehicle rally in Thane district at around 10:30 pm on Sunday.
According to the officials, an unspecified number of processionists and policemen providing security to the march were injured in the stone attack in the Mira Road area.
An official at the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police stated the stone pelting was reported from Naya Nagar police station limits, where the group clash occured during a rally comprising cars and other vehicles and taken out on the eve of the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as reported by PTI.
The official said that the reason behind the stone pelting incident was not yet known. He further stated that more details were awaited. The police were maintaining a strict vigil after the Sunday's clash in the in Naya Nagar area, located on Mumbai's outskirts, said the official.
MBVV additional police commissioner Sreekanth Phatak urged people of the township to maintain peace and stated that action was being taken against those involved in the incidents, as reported by PTI. He asked people not pay any heed to rumours and warned against putting up social media posts that are provocative or could disrupt peace by creating feuds among communities.
According to the police commissioner, CCTV footage was being checked to nab the culprits. He added that police rushed to site of Sunday's clash immediately and brought the situation under control.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that at least 13 persons were held in connection with the group clash, as reported by PTI. A number of relatives of these 13 persons protested in front of Naya Nagar police station and Congress leader Muzaffar Hussain was seen soothing frayed tempers. He told the kin of the arrested persons that police was doing its job and action would be taken only against those found to have taken part in the clash.
The consecration of the much-anticipated Ram temple took place on Monday in Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath termed the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony as an emotional moment for the country after a 500-year wait.