Yavat violence: Five cases lodged, 17 detained; police issue prohibitory order

As per the prohibitory order, gathering of five or more persons, holding any kinds of protests, rallies, religious and political events and carrying explosives, weapons, firearms, is banned in the jurisdiction of the Yavat gram panchayat, from 12 noon of August 1 to 12pm of August 3.

The prohibitory order was passed in the wake of communal tensions and violence reported at Yavat after an alleged objectionable post went viral on social media on Friday.

Sandeep Singh Gill, Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, told media persons that five cases have been registered in connection with the violence and 17 persons have been taken into custody for investigation.

Gill said no villager was injured in the violence, but some structures and vehicles were damaged. Gill also said the situation is completely under control now and appealed to the citizens to follow prohibitory orders. A huge police force was deployed in Yavat for maintaing law and order.

Police said there has been unrest in the region ever since a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was allegedly desecrated in Yavat on July 26. BJP leaders, Hindutva groups, and local villagers had taken out a rally to condemn the incident. The police held meetings with villagers, activists, and political leaders to pacify the situation and arrested the accused.

On Friday, an objectionable social media status of a youngster on his Facebook and WhatsApp went viral. It sparked tension, following which a mob resorted to violence. Police teams fired tear gas on the protestors engaged in stone pelting and setting vehicles on fire in Yavat.

Meanwhile, the person who had posted the objectionable status on social media was produced before a court on Saturday, which sent him to police custody till August 5.