An anti-encroachment drive was conducted by Nashik Municipal Corporation in Kathe Galli area of Nashik district on tuesday evening when a mob allegedly attacked the authorities and the police personnel present. At least 21 police personnel were injured while three police vehicles were damaged.
The violence started late in the night on Tuesday in the Kathe Galli area as the Nashik Municipal Corporation was following the Bombay High Court order of demolishing the unauthorised Satpeer Baba Dargah.
However, a violent mob gathered and started pelting stones at both the police and the Muslim leaders who were trying to pacify the situation, reported PTI.
The police eventually began lathi charge as per reports and used teargas to shoo away the crowd.
At least 21 police personnel were injured, and the three vehicles were damaged.
While talking to PTI, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chavan said 15 persons have been detained so far and 57 motorcycles have been seized.
Chavan also noted that despite efforts by the trustees and police, they refused to back down, and they started damaging the vehicles nearby.
Nearly 50 NMC personnel, assisted by four earth-excavators, six trucks and two dumpers, carried out the demolition drive.
The area had seen tensions earlier in February when the Hindu residents demanded the removal of the dargah.
Keeping the situation in mind, Nashik Central MLA Devyani Pharande had also pressed for complete removal, and the Police have begun the process of filing an FIR. Many of them had already been held.
