Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi has appealed for peace after violence broke out in Nagpur on Monday night. In a video message, Azmi said the incident was deeply saddening and urged people not to get provoked.
"I am regretful and deeply saddened that Nagpur, where everyone was living with harmony, communal riots never occurred earlier, has witnessed such a major incident this time. Several people have been injured. I just want to say, do not get provoked by anyone. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and work towards the progress of the country," the Samajwadi Party MLA said.
Earlier, while speaking in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the violence "looks like a well-planned attack" and that certain rumours were spread that religious verses were burnt as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested in the winter capital of the state.
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"In Nagpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests. Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt...It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands," Fadnavis said while addressing the assembly.
Violent clashes broke out in Chitnis Park in Nagpur around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Stones were hurled at police after rumors spread about the burning of a holy book. Another violent incident occurred in the Hansapuri area near Old Bhandara Road between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Several vehicles were set on fire, and houses and a clinic were vandalized. Curfew has been imposed in several areas. Police have taken more than 50 people into custody and registered five FIRs.
Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal said the violence began after a photograph was burned and shared on social media. "The incident that happened yesterday, it was between two groups. A photograph was burnt, then it was put on social media. A delegation had visited us and they wanted us to take action, FIR was registered, we were acting. But in the evening, the two groups came in front of each other, sloganeering happened, stones were pelted, police were there, there was action. Five cases have been registered, more than 50 persons were arrested. Action is going on. We want to appeal for peace, I want to urge people not to believe the rumours, and want to request them to report anything suspicious they encounter," he said.
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