Amidst the ongoing violence, a curfew has been imposed in central Nagpur area after another clash broke out in the Hansapuri area, police said to PTI.
The violence began on March 17, when rumours spread that the holy book Quran was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing group for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leading to stone-pelting and vandalism that left many people injured.
Amidst the ongoing violence, a curfew has been imposed in central Nagpur area after another clash broke out in the Hansapuri area, police said to PTI.
The violence began on March 17, when rumours spread that the holy book Quran was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing group for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leading to stone-pelting and vandalism that left many people injured.
Reports suggest that the Nagpur police detained over 20 people.
A curfew has been enforced in several areas of Nagpur under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Nagpur CP Dr. Ravinder Singal said that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (empowering Magistrates to issue immediate preventive orders in urgent cases to prevent obstruction, danger to human life, public disturbance, or riots, and can be directed at individuals, specific areas, or the general public) has been imposed in the city.
Officers are examining CCTV footage and video clips to identify those involved, and an FIR is being registered. Police have urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate.
Another clash broke out in the Hansapuri area near the Old Bhandara Road between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm. An unruly mob burnt several vehicles and vandalised houses and a clinic in the area, PTI reported.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office said the police are managing the situation following stone-throwing incidents and rising tensions in Nagpur's Mahal area. "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to citizens to fully cooperate with the administration," the statement said.
In another video message, CM Fadnavis condemned the incident and assured that strict action would be taken.
"The manner in which the situation became tense in Mahal area of Nagpur is highly condemnable. A few people pelted stones, even at the police. This is wrong. I am keeping an eye on the situation... I appeal to everyone to behave to ensure that the peace of Nagpur is not disturbed. If someone attempts to create tension, very strict action will be taken against them."
Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari urged residents to maintain calm after tensions in the city. "Due to some rumours, a situation of religious tension has arisen in Nagpur," he said. Gadkari said the government would take action against those responsible for any wrongdoing. "The chief minister has already been informed about the situation, so I request everyone not to pay heed to rumours," he said.
Violence erupted in central Nagpur in the Chitnis Park area in Mahal on Monday around 7.30 pm with stones hurled at police amid rumours that the Quran, the holy book of a Muslim community, was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leaving six persons and three policemen injured, officials said.
According to the Nagpur Police Commissioner, as quoted by news agency ANI, the violence peaked between 8 and 8:30 pm, following which security forces had to intervene.
Sharad Gupta (50), a resident of Hanspuri area, in front of whose house four two-wheelers were burnt, said the mob came between 10.30 am and 11.30 am and pelted stones and set the vehicles on fire, PTI reported.
Gupta was injured in the attack and said the mob also vandalised a neighbouring shop. The police arrived an hour later, he said.