At least 47 people were detained and four FIRs were filed in connection with rioting, vandalism and arson in several areas of Nagpur after a protest by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal over Aurangzeb dome demolition in Maharashtra's Sambhaji Nagar, reported by the news agency IANS. 15 police personnel sustained serious injuries during the unrest.
According to the reports, 25 motorcycles and three cars were set on fire by rioters, and 47 people were detained for questioning by the police. Prohibitory orders were issued in the city following a massive clash between two groups.
Due to rising tensions, a curfew has been enforced in several parts of Nagpur under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The curfew applies to the jurisdiction of police stations in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
The first clash broke out in the Mahal area at around 7.30 pm, with stones thrown at police, in which six civilians and three police personnel were injured. Clashes later spread in other areas, including Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, where police imposed lathi charges to control the crowd and maintain law and order in the area.
According to the Nagpur Police Commissioner quoted by news agency ANI, the violence peaked between 8-8:30 pm, prompting security forces to intervene. Violence spread to Nagpur's Hansapuri area, where unidentified individuals vandalised shops, torched vehicles, and pelted stones following an earlier clash in Mahal that had escalated tensions. A fresh clash erupted near Old Bhandara Road between 10.30 pm and 11.30 pm, during which a mob set several vehicles on fire and damaged houses and a clinic.
"The situation is now under police control, and our fixed-point patrolling is ongoing. Security personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas," said DCP Rahul Madane.