Surat clashes | Stone pelters not only legal but social offenders: Sanghavi

Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi meanwhile carried out meetings with Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi,Mayor Daxesh Mavani and Surat Municipal Corporation Standing Committee chairman Rajan Patel on Monday afternoon to review the law and order situation in the area .

“The stone pelters are not only legal offenders but social offenders. The Gujarat Police believes in kayde mein rahenge to fayde mein rahenge (If you follow the rules, you will benefit),” said the Home Minister.

Sanghavi said, “The accused involved in the stone pelting incident were hiding at their homes and the doors were locked from outside. Our police broke open the locks and caught them from their residences. Some of them were even trying to hide below the cot at their houses while others were trying to hide on the terrace of buildings.”

Surat police have so far registered three cases in connection with the incidents in Saiyedpura and Variyavi Bazaar.

Sanghavi further added, “Surat police have been instructed to deal strictly with stone pelters and those who want to harm the peaceful atmosphere of the city. Those involved in stone pelting incidents are not only legal offenders but social offenders. I request the social leaders to ensure that youths (involved in such incidents) are shown the right direction. I have also directed the Surat police that no innocent person should get arrested.”

He said, “Gujarat is a prosperous state and there are many people who work here. We will not entertain such elements who disrupt the peace of the area.” Later in the day, the minister also performed puja at the incident site. He took to X to share the same. “Along with Surat Police Team and Ganesh Mandal organizers, I performed Ganeshji Aarti and Puja at the same Ganesh Pandal where stone-pelting occurred. Jai Ganesh!!” his post on X said.

VHP leaders  meet police 

In a related development, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders met the police in connection with the stone pelting incident and urged them to ensure that the law and order situation is not impacted for the rest of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

VHP Surat General Secretary Nilesh Akbari and his team met Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut at Police Bhavan on Monday. Akbari said, “We condemn the stone pelting done by teenagers on the Ganesh Pandal. Such incidents will not be tolerated in future.” He further said,  “We appreciate the steps taken by the police, including arresting the accused. We requested the police to ensure that during the rest of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, such incident don’t occurs again.”

In a related development, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders met the police in connection with the stone pelting incident and urged them to ensure that the law and order situation is not impacted for the rest of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

VHP Surat General Secretary Nilesh Akbari and his team met Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut at Police Bhavan on Monday. Akbari said, “We condemn the stone pelting done by teenagers on the Ganesh Pandal. Such incidents will not be tolerated in future.” He further said,  “We appreciate the steps taken by the police, including arresting the accused. We requested the police to ensure that during the rest of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, such incident don’t occurs again.”