Aurangabad: A mob of unidentified youth attacked policemen and set ablaze many vehicles after clashing among themselves at Kiradpura area of Maharashtra's Aurangabad district ahead of Ram Navmi late on Wednesday night, police said. Police Commissioner Nikhil Gupta said the incident took place at around 12.30 in the night.
Gupta said that there was a minor altercation among a group of people in the vicinity of Ram Mandir at Kiradpura. The altercation turned ugly with the clashing groups pelting stones at each other, the DCP said. He said that police soon swung into action and used force to calm the situation. During the subsequent clashes between the rioters and police, 7-8 vehicles including police vehicles were damaged in the incident.
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DCP Gupta said that the situation in the area is under control and appealed the people to celebrate Ram Navami peacefully without falling prey to rumours. He said that police are investigating the case and the miscreants will be brought to book. The DCP said that the identity of the rioters, which were 500-600 in number, is being ascertained adding a combing operation has been launched to nab them.
Cooperation Minister Atul Save said some miscreants tried to create a riot in the area while adding that the Ram Mandir is dafe. MP Imtiaz Jalil said that anti-social elements are trying to vitiate the atmosphere and spoil the age-old communal harmony in the area. Jalil urged the police to nab the miscreants to ensure peace in the area.
Police have not made any arrests in the incident yet. He also appealed people of both the Muslim and the Hindu communities to not spoil the auspicious occasions of Ramnavmi and Ramadhan. In videos circulating on social media, MP Imtiaz Jaleel, state Bharatiya Janata Party minister Atul Save and others are seen making efforts to ensure peace.
