Communal violence that erupted in Akola city and Shevgaon village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in the last two days over a religious post on social media has posed a challenge to police to prevent potential flare-ups in other areas.
The situation has prompted police to clamp curfew in some pockets. Over 130 people have been detained so far.
According to police, so far one person has been killed and 13 others, including two policemen, were injured, in the clash that broke out on Saturday night in the sensitive Old City area of Akola.
While state minister Girish Mahajan, who belongs to BJP, claimed that the violence in Akola was possibly “pre-planned”, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there are some organisations and people who want the state to be unstable, but the government will teach them a lesson.
Members of the two groups hurled stones at each other and indulged in large-scale vandalism. The rioters set on fire some two-wheelers and four-wheelers during the violence.
In Shevgaon village in Ahmednagar district in west Maharashtra, at least five persons were injured in a clash over a procession on Sunday night. Several shops and vehicles were damaged in stone pelting, police said on Monday.
Police have detained 132 people- more than 100 in Akola and 32 in Shevgaon- so far. Cases were registered against 150 people in Shevgaon, located 65 km from the Ahmednagar district headquarters, an official said.
After the violence in Akola, District Magistrate Nima Arora ordered a curfew, which requires people to stay at home, in four police station areas of the city to maintain law and order, a senior officer said.
On Monday, the official said, the curfew was relaxed in areas under the jurisdiction of City Kotwali and Ramdas Peth police station limits.
However, it will remain in force within the limits of Dabki Road and Old City police stations at night (between 8 pm and 8 am), while some relaxations will be provided during day time, he said.
Internet services remain suspended in Akola and Shevgaon to check the spread of rumours, officials said. (With PTI Inputs)
