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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No data on Maha Kumbh stampede maintained by central govt, says MoS Home Nityanand Rai
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): Inquiry into the Maha Kumbh stampede was conducted by the Uttar Pradesh government and no data on casualties and injured victims is maintained with the central government, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai shared the information while replying to a question by Congress MPs KC Venugopal and Kirsan Namdeo on the number of people killed and injured in the stampede and the steps taken by the authorities to investigate the causes.
Rai said "public order" and "police" were state subjects, according to the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Organisation of religious congregations, crowd management, provision of amenities to devotees, prevention of any type of disaster during congregations, etc are closely linked to "public order", which is a state subject, he added.
"Conducting of any type of inquiry into any type of disasters occurred in a state, including stampedes, and provision of financial assistance to families of deceased devotees and injured persons, also come under the purview of the concerned state governments. State governments are competent to deal with such situations. No such data is maintained centrally," he said in a written reply.
The Union minister said the National Disaster Management Authority had circulated detailed guidelines on crowd management at events and venues of mass gathering. Guidelines on crowd control were also issued by the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
He said the Union home ministry had issued an advisory to all states and Union territories, advising them to use these templates to prepare their own standard operating procedures for crowd management and devise a checklist for the appropriate authorities.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Inspector General of Police Vaibhav Krishna had said the stampede January 29 stampede during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj left 30 pilgrims dead and 60 injured.
