Nagpur: Rioters allegedly attempted to disrobe a woman police officer from the RCP squad in Nagpur on Monday evening. An FIR to this effect has been registered at the Ganeshpeth police station. Policewomen were also subjected to obscene gestures and some rioters even attempted to touch them inappropriately, it has been alleged.
Curfew continues to remain in place on Wednesday at ten locations of the city, with heavy deployment of security personnel. Nearly 33 police personnel, including DCPs were injured in Monday’s riots. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned in the Assembly on Tuesday that the riots were pre-planned. According to him, rioters were armed with petrol bombs and deadly weapons like axes.
Meanwhile, 51 people have been named in an FIR registered at the Ganeshpeth police station. Some of those named are minors. The accused are primarily from localities such as Jafar Nagar, Tajbagh, Mominpura, and Bhalaadapura. It has been mentioned that petrol bombs and axes were used during the riots. The report also states that the mob refused to disperse even after being ordered to do so by the police.
The riots started when VHP and Bajrang Dal members were holding a dharna, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb from Sambhaji Nagar (earlier Aurangabad). Rumours were apparently spread that some religious texts were burnt during the dharna. Rioters spilled out on the streets, damaging scores of vehicles, ransacking shops and houses, and attacking police personnel.
This continued till late into the night till reinforcements arrived and succeeded in driving away the rioters. Significant damage had been caused by then. Both the government and police have said that none of those involved in the riots will be spared. Efforts are also underway to track those involved in spreading the rumour, an official said.