Clashes in Gujarat’s Kheda district, 3 cops among nine injured

The two other FIRs were lodged on the basis of cross complaints filed by 24-year-old Vijaykumar Parmar and 67-year-old Zahidali Mohammadali Saiyyed. While Parmar in his complaint has named 17 accused in addition to a mob of 50 people, Zahid Ali has filed his complaint against a mob of 1,500 unidentified people from the “other community”.

The FIR lodged by the Kheda district police on the basis of a complaint filed by assistant constable Narayan Raiji booked four identified persons and 70 others. It stated, “On Friday, the local leaders of Thasra had organised a customary ‘Shivji ni Savari’ procession to mark the end of the month of Shravan… The organisers had sought permission for the procession and security from Thasra police station was provided for the same…” It added that the procession commenced with a chariot, in which a statue of Lord Shiva was placed. The FIR said that the yatra progressed as per schedule until it arrived at Teen Batti junction around 3.30 pm. Near the junction, a madrasa named Talim-ul-Islam is located.

Raiji said in his complaint, “As the yatra arrived at the Teen Batti junction, a member of the Thasra Municipality, Mohammad Abrar Riyazuddin Saiyyed, along with around 10 members of the Muslim community, made allegations that the members of the procession were using abusive language… they were adamant that the DJ music (that was playing) should be (stopped).”

“Four other police personnel, who were (on) bandobast (duty) with me arrived to make peace… but the Muslim community members turned aggressive and began pelting stones at the yatra from the terraces, injuring several persons on their foreheads. Led by three accused, the Muslim mob attacked the yatra as well,” he added.

Kheda SP Rajesh Gadhiya said, “We have arrested 11 of the 17 people named in the FIR lodged on the basis of the complaint filed by Parmar. He is also among the six injured persons in the Shobha Yatra. Three police personnel have sustained minor injuries…”