Communal violence breaks out during VHP’s ‘Shaurya Yatra’ in Gujarat’s Narmada; shop, goods set ablaze

“The Shaurya Yatra of the VHP was passing through a street in the town where a masjid is located. There was stone pelting as the procession passed by and the mob also set on fire a shop in the vicinity. Some miscreants also forcibly grabbed goods from traders in the area and set them on fire. Since the police were already on the spot, the mob was dispersed within 45 minutes after the clash broke out,” the SP said.

“We are in the process of rounding up the accused identified on CCTV footage. We have already picked up some of them. The FIR is also being filed and sections of rioting and arson will be invoked among others as per provisions of the Indian Penal Code,” Sumbe said.

An official of Sagbara police station said the police lobbed tear gas shells in a bid to bring the violence under control after the mob resorted to arson. According to police officers, the right-wing outfit had sought special permission for the yatra, planned from Kuyida village to Selamba. The procession had almost ended when the clash broke out in the town.

Following the riot, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava rushed to the spot along with his supporters and appealed to the residents to maintain calm. Vasava urged the police to initiate strict action against the miscreants. “There is an indication that this was a pre-meditated riot and was carried out as part of a conspiracy… Those who are responsible for this should be severely dealt with. We have appealed to the people to stay in their homes and maintain peace,” he said.