Govt lists measures taken for peaceful celebrations, HC expresses satisfaction

Responding to the PIL via an affidavit, SP (Law and Order) Dipakkumar Meghani told HC that the “law and order situation, including communal situation in the state, is absolutely under control” and that “in past more than a decade” the state has “by and large remained absolutely peaceful on the communal front.”

“Even during 2020-23, there has not been any significant rise in communal elements, hate mongers and potential trouble makers,” the affidavit added.

It added that seven major communal riots had taken place during 2018-23. Meghani said the local police had intervened swiftly to take control of the situation, localise the violence and prevent the same from taking the shape of a major communal riot.

In case of the incidents that took place in Vadodara and Una during Ram Navami earlier this month, Meghani noted that while security arrangements were made, certain criminal elements indulged in raising slogans and stone throwing.

As per the police, while four criminal cases were registered and 67 people arrested by the Fatehpura police station in connection to the incidents at Vadodara, two criminal cases were registered and 97 people arrested in connection with incidents at Una in Gir Somnath district.

“At present, the situation is under control and confidence building measures have been taken for restoring normalcy in the area,” the affidavit added.

In regard to communal incidents at Khambhat and Himmatnagar on Ram Navami last April, the affidavit said that the local police had made security arrangements but “certain criminal elements indulged in slogan-shouting, stone-throwing and arson”, subsequent to which the state police deployed additional contingents of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) “to quell the violence swiftly”. While four criminal cases were registered and 185 people arrested in connection with the incidents at Himmatnagar, two criminal cases were registered and 93 people arrested in Khambhat.

Assuring the court of Acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav that adequate security arrangements have been made for Saturday, Government Pleader Manisha Lavkumar told HC that state authorities are deploying not only local police, but also taking assistance from the SRPF. She added that CCTV cameras have also been installed at various places.

Lavkumar further said that the places of congregation have been earmarked and social platforms are being monitored with the help of cyber crime police stations. Moreover, she said that body worn cameras would be issued to officers and additional videographers employed at police stations in areas where such festivals are celebrated.

Lavkumar also assured the court that the authorities shall be vigilant when processions are taken out.

To ensure peace on Saturday when Eid and Parshuram Jayanti will be celebrated, the state said that the authorities have identified sensitive places and would deploy contingents of SRPF. It would also take other steps like coordinating with local leaders and identifying places of congregation and procession routes common to both festivals. The HC further was told that drone cameras and videographers will be used to carry out advance survey of places of congregation and procession routes.

Expressing satisfaction over the steps enlisted by the state, the HC said: “Considering the affidavit, we are satisfied with the action taken by the state authorities. However, we are sure that the state authorities shall continue to issue similar type of instructions… (in case of) all such festivals.” It went on to dispose the PIL.