A day after a violent mob attack injured four police personnel at a station in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, the local administration took decisive action by demolishing the residence of one of the main accused on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Superintendent of Police Aman Mishra reported that police conducted extensive raids at over 100 locations, detaining more than 50 individuals for interrogation. The property that was razed was linked to Haji Shehzad Ali, identified as a local community leader.
This incident escalated on the evening of August 21, when a protest of over 500 individuals gathered outside the Kotwali police station, demanding an FIR against Ramgiri Maharaj, a religious leader, accused of making disrespectful comments about Prophet Mohammad and Islam during a recent event in Nashik, Maharashtra.
SP Agam Jain noted that some individuals within the crowd engaged in stone-pelting directed at the police station. The attack resulted in injuries to the Kotwali station in-charge and three other officers, who are receiving treatment at the District Hospital.
Following the unrest, authorities have registered an FIR against more than 150 individuals, with 46 already identified. The charges stem from various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 109, 196, 197(1), and 299, among others.
Mr. Mishra indicated that the police have received intelligence regarding the potential presence of additional weapons within the protesting crowd and are actively working to confiscate them.
The unrest was sparked by Ramgiri Maharaj’s alleged inflammatory remarks during a week-long religious event in Nashik, which concluded on August 17, and has led to multiple FIRs against him in various districts, including Thane and Pune, for offenses such as inciting religious sentiments and provoking riots.
Viral videos from the Chhatarpur incident captured the chaos, showing police personnel taking cover and the crowd of over 500 people congregating outside the station. Authorities were compelled to use tear gas to disperse the mob amidst the escalating violence.
