13 held after clashes over demolition of dargah in Gujarat’s Somnath district
Somnath (Gujarat): At least 13 people were detained after violent clashes erupted in Gujarat’s Somnath district, when residents of Veraval’s Prabhas Patan area allegedly tried to stop the demolition of a dargah on Monday.
According to officials, during a demolition drive, tensions escalated after a dispute broke out between local residents and staff from the Mamlatdar’s office. Around a hundred women and children gathered to protest, after the dargah's boundary wall was demolished.
Police said the crowd started throwing stones at officials. Security personnel used batons and fired three tear gas shells to disperse the mob and only after the crowd became calmed down, the demolition resumed.
Authorities have cleared the rubble from 11 demolished structures as of Tuesday morning. The demolition sites includes several residences and the sacred site, according to a Madhyamam report.
An FIR was registered at the Prabhas Patan police station based on a complaint by Deputy Mamlatdar Ranjeetsinh R. Kher, who stated that the drive initially targeted illegal encroachments on government land under survey number 831 without incident. The situation turned violent when the operation extended to the dargah. Around 70 to 100 people allegedly surrounded the officials and shouted slogans and pelted stones at the officials.
Cases have been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on public servants and endangering life, along with provisions of the Gujarat Police Act. While seventeen individuals have been identified, several other are not named.
Earlier, on September 28, 2024, local authorities had razed nine Muslim religious structures. These structures includes the 1,200-year-old Haji Mangrol Dargah, Shah Silar Dargah, and Garib Shah Dargah, along with a mosque, a 500-year-old graveyard, and 47 homes in the same locality.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
