By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Nandurbar (Maharashtra): Nandurbar, the tribal district in North Maharashtra, about 90 kms from Mumbai, witnessed communal clashes between two groups from different communities on Wednesday. There are unconfirmed reports of curfew being imposed in some parts of the city.
The regional newspaper here reports that the city came under violence following the protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and other Hindutva outfits against alleged cow slaughtering. The protests were organized despite prohibitory orders by police.
There are reports of looting, arson and heavy stone pelting in the violence hit areas of the city.
The worst affected areas of the city are Maliwada, Bagban Galli, Chirag Galli, Shahdatullah Nagar and Fish market. Violent mob pelted stone, looted and burnt properties belonging to the minority community.
Minority community has suffered heavy property loss in the violence. Reportedly 5 persons from the minority community suffered injuries who are now recuperating in city hospital. Urdutimes reports of imposition of section 144 (unlawful assembly) by police in the area, however it has not quoted any police official to that effect.
Many right wing organizations have undertaken a state wide campaign against cow slaughtering. Nalasopara area of Mumbai too witnessed similar communal tensions couple of days before when such organizations had called for ‘bandh’ that had seen little response by the people.
Local sources claim that minority community had expressed apprehension of communal tension due to the anti- cow slaughtering campaign and had requested for increasing police presence in the sensitive areas of the city but police did not pay attention to their request.
“Police had conducted investigation into the allegations of cow slaughtering raised by right wing activists and had concluded that no cow slaughtering happens in the city. Police should have been vigilant after such false allegation were brought to it by communal forces”, a source from Jamiat unit claimed.
Despite police claim, on Wednesday Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Gau Raksha Samiti and other organization protested in the city that ignited the violence.
“Alleged activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal today tried to forcibly close down the slaughter house on Wednesday. This resulted in clashes between the two groups”, a source informed.
It is also alleged that the rioters had free run for over two hours due to less police presence. Police came into action only after properties worth lakhs were destroyed, burnt and looted.
Additional D G Law and Order K L Bishnoi, is reported to have said to media that the situation is under control. He said, “There has been stone pelting between two groups in Nandurbar. The situation is under control now.”
Nandurbar is a communally sensitive city that witnessed similar clashes in 2011 resulting into heavy property damage including death of one person.
[with inputs from urdutimes]
[Photo courtesy : UrduTimes]