Junagadh, June 17: A radical Muslim mob pelted stones at police officials in Gujarat's Junagadh district after clashes erupted on Friday over the civic body's demolition notice to a illegal dargah situated near the Majewadi Gate. A civilian has reportedly died allegedly due to pelting of stones.
Noatbly, a notice was served on June 14 by the Junagadh Municipal Corporation to the illegal dargah asking for presenting its documents within five days amid the body's anti-encroachment drive. Angered by the alleged anti-encroachment drive, 500-600 Muslims gathered around the dargah situated near the Majewadi Gate and pelted stones at police officials, vandalised property and set police vehicles on fire.
Police officials reached the location and tried to convince them not to block the road – the deliberation went on for about 45 minutes. “Around 10:15 pm, people started throwing stones at the police and started sloganeering. The police then lathi-charged them to disperse the crowd,” Ravi Teja Vasamsetty, superintendent of police, Junagadh, told news agency ANI.
Few policemen, including the deputy superintendent of police, were injured in the attack. So far, 174 people have been detained and further investigation is being carried out.
A video has also been released by ANI where the crowd could be seen throwing stones at police vehicles with full force. People were picking stones from lanes and catapulting them at police vehicles.
Latest visuals a day after the clash show police guarding the area ensuring law and order situation. Glass panes of a local police station could be seen shattered. Two-wheelers in dilapidated condition along with stones and boulders also seen lying on the roads. However, the traffic situation in the area seems normal.