DGP visits Nashik, violence still on

Malhotra, who met members of the local peace committee and police officials, told reporters that efforts would be made to restore peace by issuing a joint appeal by the peace committee members and taking out a peace march through the riot-affected areas.

He said some panel members had blamed the police for callousness in handling the mobs while some blamed the civic authorities for deciding to demolish the mosque.

He further said that most of the members had urged for withdrawal of the curfew as it had created problems for the local residents. Some members pointed out that ever since the curfew was imposed late last night, the police were not allowing any person to come out of the house and it was creating hardships as most of the residents lived in shanties and had to go to public toilets situated at a distance. Malhotra said he would also find out whether the police had been lethargic in handling the situation and take action against the erring officials.

Meanwhile, the violence continued today with two more autorickshaws being set on fire and several shops and vehicles being stoned. At the moment, three SRP companies have been posted in the area after the entire city was paralysed by rumours of more violence. Educational institutions, shops and establishments and offices preferred either to close down for the day or give a holiday for the students and employees.

The riots, which began on Tuesday afternoon after officials of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) attempted to demolish an unauthorised mosque in the Rajiv Nagar area, have left about 150 vehicles damaged and 22 persons injured, two with bullet injuries in police firing.

The police have arrested over 100 suspects.

Armed gangs literally ruled the roads in the Bhadrakali, Main Road, Dwarka and Kathada areas, where eight hutments and six autorickshaws were set ablaze on Tuesday night. Even in the CIDCO area, seven shops in the Shivaji Market were shattered and set on fire. In the Main Road area, two shops were set ablaze.

Meanwhile, Mayor Dr Shobha Bachhav has said that she was kept in the dark about the decision to demolish the mosque that led to the riots. The NMC has formed a three-member panel to inquire into it.