More than 120 people have been detained so far in connection with a clash between two groups in Maharashtra’s Akola city that left a man dead and injured eight others, including two policemen, an official said on Monday.
While state minister Girish Mahajan claimed that the violence was possibly “pre-planned”, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there are some organisations and people who want the state to be unstable, but the government will teach them a lesson.
The clash broke out on Saturday night in the Old City area of Akola over a religious post which went viral on a social media platform, he said. Members of two groups pelted stones at one another and indulged in large-scale vandalism. The unruly mobs also set on fire some two-wheelers and four-wheelers during the violence, the SP said. One person was killed and eight others, including two policemen, were injured in the violence. More than 100 people have been detained so far in connection with the clash, he said.
After the incident, District Magistrate Nima Arora ordered a curfew, which requires people to stay at home, in four police station areas of the city to maintain law and order, the SP said. Earlier in the day, State Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan claimed the clash was possibly “pre-planned”. Mahajan visited the affected areas on Sunday. Talking to reporters, he said, “It is suspected that the incident was pre-planned. Some houses and vehicles were damaged. Strict action would be taken against the culprits.” He also met the family of the man, Vilas Gaikwad (40), killed in the violence and expressed condolence.
