Godhra violence: 17 arrested, 88 booked for vandalizing police chowkis

The mob was allegedly protesting against the police for “summoning” a person to “warn” him against uploading communally provocative posts on social media, said the police.

The district police had on Friday summoned an individual to caution him against posting social media content that could “provoke the peace of communal harmony” in view of the upcoming Navratri festivities, beginning Monday.

Meanwhile, the members of a community, to which the individual belongs, gathered outside the Godhra B Division police station and allegedly indulged in rioting, vandalism, and arson of another police chowki, setting on fire the furniture and causing damage to several official documents. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob and also conducted combing in the area.

Panchmahal District Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat told mediapersons, “The incident  occurred on Friday at the Godhra B Division police station. We have arrested 17 people and booked 88. More teams have been formed to arrest the other accused involved.”

“On Saturday, the markets in the town remained open as usual and no law and order situation was reported,” Dudhat added.

The accused have been booked under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for unlawful assembly, rioting, causing damage to public property and arson.  Apart from the arrests made in the case, the police also held meetings with community leaders to communicate to its members to show restraint and not take law in their hands.

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