Nagpur violence claims first victim: 38-year-old succumbs to injuries
Dr Sagar Pande, deputy medical superintendent at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital, confirmed that the riot victim, Irfan Ansari, 38, died at 1.20 pm on Saturday
3 min read
Security personnel disperse an agitating crowd as communal tension prevailed Nagpur's Chitnis park area following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest. (Express file photo by Dhananjay Khedkar_
The March 17 violence that rocked Nagpur claimed its first victim Saturday when 38-year-old Irfan Ansari succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack by a mob.
Irfan Ansari passed away Saturday afternoon, five days after being injured. His death was confirmed by Dr Sagar Pandey, Deputy Medical Superintendent at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital.
Violence erupted March 17 over rumours that a holy book had been desecrated during a demonstration in the city by VHP and Bajrang Dal, seeking removal of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khuldabad.
Imran Ansari told media persons that his brother Irfan left home on the night of the violence (March 17) to board a train to Itarsi. He had taken an autorickshaw to the railway station, but the driver dropped him off at CA Road, citing violence in the area. Irfan then decided to continue on foot. He was subsequently attacked by a mob and sustained severe head injuries.
Imran said his brother briefly regained consciousness while in the ICU and narrated his ordeal.
Irfan, who frequently travelled to Itarsi for work, had been brought to the hospital by police. Later, the hospital staff contacted the family to inform them about his condition. The family has demanded strict action against those responsible for his death. Irfan is survived by his wife and daughter.
On Friday night, police made fresh arrests, including Mohammad Hamid Engineer, founder of the Minorities Democratic Party. Earlier, the police had arrested Fahim Khan, a member of Engineer’s party, calling him the main conspirator behind the violence.
Police have so far held 92 individuals, including 12 juveniles.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the cost of damages caused in Nagpur will be recovered from the rioters. If they fail to pay, he said, their properties will be sold.
Speaking to the media at the office of the Commissioner of Police in Nagpur, Fadnavis said, “The total damages caused during the riots will be calculated and recovered from the rioters themselves. If they fail to pay for the damages, their property will be sold.”
He said authorities have identified 104 accused individuals, with 92 already held, including 12 juveniles. Over 68 inflammatory social media posts linked to the violence have also been flagged and deleted.
Fadnavis said individuals who incited violence through social media will be treated as co-accused. He said certain parties from Malegaon were found to be supporting the accused rioters. He clarified that reports of a woman constable being molested during the riots were false. He said she was blocked by rioters and attacked with stones.
You May Like
