Riots erupt in Surat city after four teenagers pelt stones at Ganesh idol, 27 detained for stone-pelting near police station

Police apprehended the four as well as two other accused teenagers and detained around 27 persons allegedly involved in the stone-pelting, according to police officials and a social media statement on Monday morning by Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi.

Sanghavi, Surat North BJP MLA Kanti Balar, Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani and Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut had reached both the station and the pandal on Sunday night, when the incidents happened. Addressing the mob at the station, Sanghavi said that nobody would be spared and the perpetrators would be caught and dealt with strictly.

In a video which went viral on social media, Sanghavi is seen saying, “Before the first rays of the sun, the accused will be apprehended and even those who are behind the scenes instigating the teenagers will not be spared and they will be dealt with strictly. Combing has started in the affected areas. Those who wanted to harm the peace of Gujarat will not be spared.”

Per police sources, the first incident occurred at the Variyavi bazaar Ganesh pandal on the roadside, where the accused teenagers were passing by in an auto rickshaw after 9 pm.

Police resorted to lathi-charging to control the mob near the station. (Express photo by Hanif Malek)

When one stone damaged the idol and another hit a man standing in the pandal, a large number of people quickly gathered. Reportedly, there is a considerable population of Muslims in the neighbourhood, and talks were on between two groups to “maintain peace”.

The injured youth was rushed to hospital and his condition was reported to be stable.

An eyewitness said that the pandal organizers and others reached the Saiyedpura police station. Police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut deployed a large police force as stone-pelting resumed near the station, while unknown persons torched cars and vehicles.. Deputy Commissioner Vijaysinh Gurjar incurred minor injuries.

The mob eventually dispersed after the officials assured them of the arrests of the accused, all of which reportedly took place based on CCTV footage and combing the neighbourhood.

Lalgate police registered an offence of damage at the Ganesh Pandal and of rioting at the police chowki area.

Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut said, “The situation is under control and we are appealing to citizens to maintain peace and communal harmony in the area.”