Communal violence in Pune: 18 held; 5 FIRs filed, over 500 booked

 

 

 

POLICE have arrested a total of 18 persons and registered five FIRs against more than 500 individuals in connection with the communal violence in Yavat village of Pune district that broke out over an alleged objectionable status on a social messaging platform, officials said on Saturday. The youth who posted the objectionable status on WhatsApp is among the arrested accused along with 17 others held for their alleged involvement in arson and vandalism during the violence at Yavat in Daund tehsil. A local court sent 15 of them in police custody for four days, they said. Communal tension erupted and incidents of violence took place in Yavat village on Friday afternoon, in which several groups of persons, angered by the social media post, vandalised and set ablaze properties.

 

“So far, we have registered a total of five cases in connection with the violence. Four of the cases are against more than 500 people who were allegedly involved in arson and damage to property. Of these, more than 100 people have been identified,” an official of Yavat police station said. Seventeen persons have been arrested for their involvement in the violence, and the youth whose status message triggered the violence was similarly held, he said. Fifteen of the 17 persons were produced before a local court, which remanded them in police custody till August 6. Those involved in the incident targeted a motorcycle, two cars, one religious structure and a bakery, and indulged in arson. The police had to lob tear gas shells and lathi-charge to disperse the mob, the official said.

 

The police have issued prohibitory orders in Yavat and the situation is under control, he said. Talking to reporters, Pune Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill said the preliminary probe does not point to any planned conspiracy, and conclusions cannot be drawn until the inquiry is over. “Till Saturday afternoon, police have registered five FIRs in connection with the incident,” he said, adding that the person whose objectionable post triggered the violence has resided in the village for years. The SP added that after the violence broke out, the police responded quickly and brought the situation under control.