Indefinite curfew in Amravati as violence erupts during bandh

 

 

 

Amravati, Tension mounted in Amravati city with violence erupting for the second day in a row. Police have imposed an indefinite curfew following the violence. Nine people, including five policemen have been injured in stone-pelting incidents by the rioters. Demolition and fire incidents at some religious places in the city intensified the situation. Police resorted to lathi-charge, used water cannon, fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the angry mob. The situation was tense for some time as two groups came face to face in the area of Namuna, Sarafa Bazaar, Sakkarsath in the western part of the city. Strong Police bandobast has been deployed at various places in Amravati and also State Reserve Police Force personnel from various parts of the State have also been summoned. The particular community had organised a protest rally at the District Collector’s office on Friday to protest the alleged violence in Tripura. At this time, some anti-social activists vandalized shops and some people were beaten. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for Amravati district bandh on Saturday. The bandh received a good response in the city, including main marketyards.

 

A large number of local BJP leaders and activists along with activists and leaders of various Hindu organisations gathered at Rajkamal Chowk in the morning chanting various slogans. After some time, the protesters took out a march at Namuna, Jaistambha Chowk, Jawahargate Gate and other areas and forced some of the traders to close their shops. The activists got violent and started vandalising shops. Thousands of people also marched towards Auto galli, Ambapeth by rising various slogans. The angry mob started pelting stones at closed shops while raising slogans. Stones were also pelted on one hospital. After the protesters entered the Namuna Galli area, they were resisted by another group. This caused tension and angry protesters set afire some shops and pan stalls, two-wheelers and cars. A two-wheeler garage was broken and later two-wheelers were taken out to set afire. The garage was also set afire by the angry mob.

 

The mob got violent and also demolished religious places. Violence was also reported at Hamalpura where shops were burnt. The protestors also set afire 2 bikes from a garage at Hamalpura. On the other hand, a large crowd gathered in Itwara market area. They started throwing stones at the police. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. At many places, the police even used mild cane-charge. In this area too, two groups came face to face. The police handled the situation with utmost restraint. Rumours were also in the air that people were coming out on the streets and intense fighting had erupted in the western part of the city. The rioters pelted stones at Namuna, Ambapeth, Rajkamal Chowk, Sarafa Bazar, Grain Market, Sakkarsath, Harshraj Colony, Hamalpura, Tanga Padaw, Nagpuri Gate. Nine persons, including five police personnel, were injured in the incident and they have been admitted to the District General Hospital. A priest at Shani Mandir also got injured in the stone-pelting incident. Sandeep Patil, the IG, Anti-Naxal Cell from Nagpur and also the Commissioner of Police In-charge from Amravati has announced a curfew in the city in the wake of the violence.

 

“During the curfew, no one should leave the house for any reason other than medical reasons,” police said. There are indications that the internet service may be shut down to stop spread of rumours. Adv Yashomati Thakur, Guardian Minister of the district has appealed people to maintain peace and also not to fell prey to any kind of rumours. She urged the citizens to maintain social harmony. Dr Arti Singh, Commissioner of Police who is on leave and went to Jaipur has also left Jaipur for Amravati after she got the news of violence. Avinash Bargal, Superintendent of Police, Poonam Patil, Bharat Gaekwad, both the Assistant Commissioners of Police, Shashikant Satav, Additional Superintendent of Police are on the field to control the situation. The curfew will remain in force till further notice, the police have informed. Shiv-Sena, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Yuva Swabhiman Sanghatana, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and many other organisations had supported the bandh. Hundreds of shops at various parts of the city were damaged by the protestors causing huge losses. Fire brigade vehicles were used to douse fire incidents in the city. Police bandobast from Nagpur, Wardha and other parts of the State were also summoned to control the situation. The situation at Amravati was under control but still tense till filing of the news. City Kotwali Police have registered two cases regarding violence that took place in the city.

 

BJP calls bandh in distt today Protesting against the violence created by a particular community during morcha on Friday to protest against the alleged incidents at Tripura, Amravati district wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for bandh on November 14. Meanwhile, Nivedita Chaudhary-Dighade, District Collector, has appealed citizens to observe the bandh in a peaceful manner.