21 cops injured in violence during demolition drive at Nashik dargah; 15 persons held
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Nashik (PTI): Twenty one police personnel were injured and three police vehicles damaged when a mob attacked them while opposing the demolition of an unauthorised dargah in Maharashtra's Nashik city, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place late Tuesday night and police resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob and brought the situation under control, they said, adding 15 persons have been detained in connection with the violence.
The injured police personnel were on security duty during the anti-encroachment drive at the spot when the incident occurred.
The situation is currently peaceful, a senior police official said.
At around 6 am on Wednesday, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) personnel removed the unauthorised Satpeer Baba Dargah located in Kathe Galli area of the city, following an order of the Bombay High Court, the police said.
"As per the HC order, the Satpeer Dargah trustees started the process of removing the structure on Tuesday night. A violent mob gathered to oppose the removal and pelted stones at police and Muslim leaders who went to pacify the protesters," Nashik Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik said.
"Police resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob and brought the situation under control. Three police vehicles were damaged and 21 police personnel injured in the attack. The dargah was demolished in the morning and the process to file an FIR and arrest (those involved in the violence) is on," he said.
At around 11.30 pm on Tuesday, the trustees had reached the spot to remove the encroachment and started the work.
At that time, a mob of miscreants gathered at Usmania Chowk near the structure. They did not listen to the dargah trustees and other people who went to pacify them, DCP Kirankumar Chavan said.
"Police officials present at the place also tried to pacify them, but they did not listen to them. The miscreants pelted stones and damaged some vehicles. Mild force was used to control them," he said.
"As many as 15 persons have been detained and 57 motorcycles belonging to suspects have been seized. The situation is peaceful and under control at present," Chavan said.
Nearly 50 NMC personnel were engaged in the anti-encroachment drive at the dargah on Wednesday morning, which was carried out using four earth-excavators, six trucks and two dumpers, as per civic officials.
Notably, several unauthorised structures near the dargah were removed by the civic body’s anti-encroachment team in February this year.
However, a section of local residents and members of Hindu outfits who then gathered at the site said the dargah itself was unauthorised and must be removed.
Nashik Central MLA Devyani Pharande had also said the NMC’s anti-encroachment drive in February was not complete and the entire site should be cleared.
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BJP-JD(S) want to remove Cong govt in Karnataka: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Apr 27 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that the BJP and JD(S) want to somehow remove the Congress government in the state and are dreaming about it, but won't succeed.
He also asserted that the Congress would once again come to power in the state in the 2028 Assembly polls.
The Karnataka Congress chief was addressing a gathering at an event organised to commemorate the government's achievements in the two years since coming to office and to launch various developmental works in the Bengaluru rural district.
"We cannot forget the strength you (the people) have given us. The Karnataka government is today known for its administration. We have presented a budget of over Rs 4 lakh crore, and with the motto of equal rights and equal life for all, we are taking everyone together and implementing programmes," Shivakumar said.
Addressing the event, he asked the BJP and JD(S) what they had done for the welfare of people, women, farmers, youth, and job creation, adding that they were unable to speak about it and were "jealous".
"Somehow, they want to remove this government. Some central ministers are dreaming about it. Both parties have formed an alliance; let them add four more and expand their alliance. Remember one thing: In the 2028 Assembly election, Congress will once again come to power in the state. Have this confidence; we have worked for it," he added.
His comments came days after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of trying to capture power in Karnataka by overthrowing the Congress government, urging his party members and leaders in the state to be cautious and stay united, overcoming internal differences.
Earlier, pointing out that the BJP had alleged that the state's treasury was empty because of the implementation of guarantee schemes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed there was no truth in it.
"In that case, how could projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore be inaugurated or foundations laid for them in Bengaluru rural today? This could not have been done if the treasury were empty. The BJP is spreading lies," he alleged, addressing a gathering.
Dubbing the BJP's 'Janakrosha Yatre' as "baseless" and "full of lies," Siddaramaiah claimed the BJP-led government at the Centre has raised the prices of essential commodities over the last eleven years.
"Despite crude oil prices coming down in the international market, the Centre has raised the prices of gas, petrol, and diesel. The central government and PM Narendra Modi are responsible for the price rise in the country. Meanwhile, the Congress government led by me in the state has not only implemented developmental works but also guaranteed schemes," he claimed.
The Karnataka BJP is holding the 'Janakrosha Yatre,' a statewide campaign against the Congress government in the state, over the hike in the price of essential commodities, alleged Muslim appeasement, and the alleged diversion of funds meant for Dalit welfare.
The CM claimed that the BJP has always come to power through backdoor methods, without the support of the people.
