Gujarat Congress sides with rioters who attacked Ram Navmi procession, slams bulldozing of shops

Congress MLA Gyassuding Shaikh & Imran Khedavala appealed to revenue minister Rajendra Trivedi on April 15 alleging that the state had failed to serve notices to owners of properties before demolition and asked the Minister to stop bulldozing shops near Khambat

NewsBharati    16-Apr-2022 11:36:41 AM
Total Views | 123
Khambhat, April 16: Gujarat Congress on Saturday, spoke against state government that used the bulldozer on illegal properties owned by rioters involved in the Ram Navmi procession. Congress stated that demolition of properties by the state govt wasn't based on legal procedures and that it was unconstitutional.

Gujarat
 
According to reports, Congress MLA Gyassuding Shaikh and Imran Khedavala appealed to the revenue minister Rajendra Trivedi on April 15. They alleged that the state had failed to serve notices to owners of properties before demolition and asked the Minister to stop bulldozing the shops near the dargah in Sakkarpura area, Khambat.
 
 
“The action by the district collector is based on allegations and there is no legal procedure involved. Demolition should be stopped immediately”, the duo said adding that the party will have no problem if the state takes action after the accused are declared as culprits by the court.

On April 10, the Rath Yatra of Ram Navami started from a temple in Khambhat and arrived at the place near the dargah. According to police, rioters were hiding inside the dargah and as soon as the Rath Yatra reached there, they started pelting stones at the chariot.
 
Also Read | Shops belonging to accused in Khambhat stone-pelting, demolished
 
On April 15, local administration and the police brought a bulldozer to this spot and demolished all shops just outside this dargah. When the police force arrived, the shops were open and operating, but with the help of the police force, the shops were vacated & demolished by bulldozers.

Police said that the shops were illegally built and there were complaints about criminal activities going on in these shops.

So far, the Police have arrested 11 accused, including 3 Maulvis for deliberately targeting the Ram Navami celebrations. Reports mention that the violence was pre-planned and that the Maulvis had arranged for people from other parts of the state to disrupt peace and harmony in Khambhat. Investigations are underway.