Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
A dispute over a goat sold to a butcher and the payment for mutton escalated into a violent clash between two groups in Ambhai village of Sillod tehsil. Following stone-pelting and lathi attacks, Ajanta police carried out a major late-night operation on Tuesday. Cases of rioting have been registered against a total of 206 persons from both groups, and 13 accused have been arrested.
According to police, Shah Rukh Jafar Pathan of Ambhai had purchased a goat from Kailas Bhagwan Mundhe of the same village. An argument broke out between the two around 2 pm on Tuesday over payment, which was initially settled by villagers. However, after evening namaz, between 7.30 pm and 8 pm, mobs from both groups gathered near the bus stand and market area and began pelting stones at each other.
Indiscriminate attacks using sticks and stones left seven persons seriously injured. Several shops were damaged, while 15 to 20 two-wheelers and other vehicles were vandalised. The mob also destroyed CCTV cameras installed at various locations in the village. However, some members of the mob were captured on CCTV footage before the cameras were damaged. Acting on this, police conducted a combing operation till early Wednesday morning and arrested 13 persons from both groups.
Based on a complaint filed by police constable Sandu Sakharam Jadhav at Ajanta police station, cases of rioting have been registered against named accused from both groups along with 180 unidentified persons, taking the total number of accused to 206. Further investigation is underway.