- Tuesday, September 17, 2024
When the police detained six minors in connection with the incident, a mob of around 300 people gathered at Lalgate police station in protest
By: Shajil Kumar
AN IDOL of Lord Ganesh was damaged in Surat, Gujarat, after some minors allegedly threw stones at a pandal on Sunday night.
The incident, which took place in the communally-sensitive Saiyedpura, triggered violence during which some people, including cops, were injured, police said on Monday.
When the police detained six minors in connection with the incident, a mob of around 300 people gathered at Lalgate police station in protest.
Stones were pelted from two sides, leaving some people, including police personnel, injured, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut told reporters.
He said two parked vehicles were also torched by some miscreants, and the police carried out baton charge and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob.
So far, 28 people have been arrested and six minors detained while three separate FIRs have been registered in connection with these incidents, police officials said.
Police were carrying out combing operations to nab other accused, Gahlaut said.
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi and senior police officers visited the incident site and promised strict action against the culprits.
The six minors, aged 12 to 13 years, drove an autorickshaw to the venue late in the night and pelted stones.
A police team is questioning them and their guardians, Gahlaut said.
The police used CCTV footage as well as video recordings of mobile phones and TV cameras to identify and apprehend 28 people for attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, causing grievous injuries, etc, the official said.
Another FIR was registered against a group for setting two vehicles on fire and damaging two other vehicles parked in the area, Gahlaut said.
Security has been stepped up in the area, and a technical team has been formed to check video footage to identify the culprits, he added.
Gujarat Director General of Police Vikas Sahay told reporters in Gandhinagar that the police will ensure peaceful conduct of the festival across the state and strict action will be taken against troublemakers. (PTI)
