Nagpur violence: 50 arrested after clashes over Aurangzeb tomb protest, prohibitory orders imposed
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Nagpur: At least 50 people have been arrested following violent clashes in central Nagpur late on Monday night. The unrest erupted after protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad escalated into arson and confrontations, leaving several injured.
Clashes and arson
The violence led to multiple casualties, including 10 anti-riot commandos, two senior police officers, and two firefighters. A constable remains in critical condition. Mobs set ablaze two bulldozers and 40 vehicles, including police vans, as security forces struggled to restore order. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report on the incident, which comes just two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Nagpur.
Role of rumours and social media
Tensions flared after reports emerged that protesters had burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate, located just 2 km from the RSS headquarters. In response, another group gathered, demanding immediate action, which led to stone-pelting, arson, and violent clashes with the police. Officials have stated that misinformation spread through social media significantly contributed to the escalation.
Security forces deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Among those injured were DCPs Archit Chandak and Niketan Kadam, along with firefighters who were attempting to extinguish the flames.
Police crackdown and security measures
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal has deployed over 1,000 officers and imposed prohibitory orders in Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura to curb movement in high-risk areas. Key roads have been sealed, and additional reinforcements have been brought in to prevent further violence. Despite these measures, sporadic stone-pelting incidents continued through the night.
Authorities have employed CCTV surveillance vehicles and public address systems to monitor the situation and issue warnings. Local peace committees have also been activated, urging community leaders to step in and help de-escalate tensions.
CM appeals for peace
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have urged Nagpur residents to maintain peace. "Nagpur has always been a city of harmony. I request citizens not to believe in rumours and to cooperate with the police," Fadnavis stated.
Police statement on the situation
Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal has assured that the situation is under control. "The situation is currently peaceful. A photo was burned, leading to people gathering and making a request. We acted on it, and an FIR has been lodged based on the names provided," he said.
Regarding the violence, he stated, "The incident occurred around 8-8:30 pm. Not many vehicles have been torched; we are assessing the damage. So far, two vehicles have been set on fire, and stone-pelting took place." He added that combing operations are underway to identify and arresImposede involved.
To prevent further unrest, Section 144 has been imposed in the area, restricting public gatherings. "People have been advised not to step out unnecessarily or take the law into their own hands. Apart from this particular area, the rest of the city remains peaceful," Dr Singal added.
VHP, Bajrang Dal warn of protests
Meanwhile, protests have also erupted in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, where Aurangzeb’s tomb is located. VHP and Bajrang Dal have warned that if the government fails to act, they will escalate their agitation across Marathwada and other districts.
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Woman, 2 sons found dead in Delhi home; suicide suspected
New Delhi (PTI): Three members of a family were found dead inside their home in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji on Friday, with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide, officials said.
Police said the incident came to light around 2.47 pm when a police team reached the premises to execute a court order related to possession of the property. When repeated knocks went unanswered, the staff used a duplicate key to open the door.
Inside, officers found Anuradha Kapoor (52) and her sons, Ashish Kapoor (32) and Chaitanya Kapoor (27), hanging from the ceiling, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said in a statement. All three were declared dead.
A handwritten note was recovered from the room, suggesting the family had been struggling with depression.
"The handwritten note indicates emotional distress faced by the family due to which the family may have taken the extreme step," the officer said.
The bodies have been shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) mortuary for post-mortem and other legal formalities under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), police said.
Residents of the neighbourhood said they were shocked to learn about the deaths, adding that the family kept largely to themselves.
Pankaj Kashyap, a resident of Girinagar, said he learnt about the deaths while leaving for work. "I live and work here and was leaving for work when I saw many people standing outside and talking. That is how I got to know that three people had committed suicide. I also saw several police vehicles outside, but I do not know much beyond that," he said.
Baldev, another neighbour, said the family had been living in the newly constructed house for around two years. "We only knew that a mother and her two children lived there. They had moved into the newly built house around two years ago. We did not interact much with them. Today we heard that all three have committed suicide, and whatever we know is based on what people here are saying," he said.
Another neighbour, Ramesh Kumar, claimed the family had earlier attempted suicide.
"About fifteen to twenty days ago, the two sons in the family had attempted suicide and police and ambulances had come. That was when I first got to know who they were. I do not recognise them by face, but we saw the ambulances and police take the two sons that day. Today again we saw ambulances and police arriving, so everyone came out to see what had happened. I do not know how long they had been living here, but this is all we know," he said.
Police said they are examining the family's financial condition, social circumstances, and other factors that may have contributed to the incident. Further investigation is underway.
