SRP in Pandesara following skirmish

SURAT, Aug 1: State Reserve Police personnel have been posted in the Pandesara area of the city after a group of about 25 people ransacke...

SURAT, Aug 1: State Reserve Police personnel have been posted in the Pandesara area of the city after a group of about 25 people ransacked a mutton shop on Sunday. Nine people have been arrested in this connection.

A complaint lodged by Salim Ismail Khatki, who runs a mutton shop at Bhidbhanjan Society, Pandesara, said a 25-strong mob, armed with sticks and pipes, ransacked his outlet at noon on Sunday.

According to Pandesara police sources, all of them are weavers working in industrial estates in Udhna and Pandesara. They were reportedly returning from a meeting at Bhidbhanjan Society when they got into an argument with Khatki over the legality of his shop.

After a brief argument, they went off, only to return with sticks and pipes and bring down down the shack within minutes. Khatki alleged in his complaint that he had suffered losses worth Rs 1000.

The police rushed to the spot and arrested nine of the 25 allegedly involved in the violence. They have been identified; all are residents of Bhidbhanjan Society.

Special Branch ACP M B Pethani stated in the evening that one company of SRP had been posted in Pandesara as well as Udhna areas of the city, though those involved in the incident were not affiliated to any organisation and no part of the city had been affected by the violence.

A case has been booked under Sections 143, 147 and 427 of the IPC.