Curfew was ordered in the whole Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh after stones hurled at a Ram Navami procession here prompted vandalism and torching of certain vehicles and residences, according to a senior officer on Monday.
Moreover, devotees were celebrating Ram Navami on Sunday when the incident occurred.
Further, to keep the scene under control, police resorted to using tear gas shells.
According to Khargone Collector Anugrah P, a curfew was imposed throughout the entire city of Khargone on the night of Sunday and Monday following the event.
Citizens have been advised to leave their homes only in the event of a medical emergency, according to the collector.
In addition, the collector also stated that the issue is under control.
Meanwhile, the collector further stated that individuals who share offensive words and videos about the Khargone Ram Navami tragedy on social media will face severe consequences.
In a tweet, the district administration stated that for any urgent work other than medical emergencies, clearance can be sought from the SDM office, tehsil office, and Kotwali police station.
Following the incident, officials imposed a curfew in three locations and implemented Section 144 of the CrPC (which prohibits gatherings of four or more individuals) throughout the city on Sunday.
Moreover, according to an official, Khargone Superintendent of Police Siddharth Choudhary and two other police officers, as well as other civilians, were injured in the Ram Navami stone-pelting.
Meanwhile, state Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, who is also the district’s in-charge, stated in a tweet that he has ordered officials to take harsh action against rioters.
Further, Pawan Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, and Tilak Singh, DIG, Nimar Range, both arrived in Khargone to assess the situation.
Stones were thrown at the crowd as the Ram Navami procession began near the district headquarters’ Talab Chowk area, causing police to use tear gas shells to manage the situation, according to Khargone Additional Collector Sumer Singh Mujalde.
However, the procession was meant to do a full circuit of Khargone, but it was halted in the middle due to the violence, he explained.
Communal violence during Ram Navami
In Khargone town, Khargone district, eight to ten people were hurt, including five cops. During the fighting in the neighbouring Barwani district’s Sendhwa town, five to seven people were injured, including two cops.
While prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPc have been issued throughout Khargone town, a curfew has been enforced in parts of the worst-affected areas, including Talab Chowk, Motipura, Sanjay Nagar, Tabadi Chowk, and Gaushala Marg.
Moreover, the first incident occurred in Khargone’s minority population Talab Chowk area, just as the Ram Navami procession was due to pass through that communally charged region. A mob threw stones at the march, protesting the use of loud DJ music throughout the procession.
When the two communities from Khargone’s Gaushala Marg, Tabadi Chowk, Sanjay Nagar, and Motipura learned about the occurrence, a violent brawl ensued.
Meanwhile, due to a shortage of police officers in Khargone, officers from other districts were called in to assist.
Further, a place of worship was vandalised between Talab Chowk and Gaushala Marg, according to unconfirmed reports, and rioters set a house on fire.
Approximately eight to 10 people were injured in the event, including five officers, SP Khargone Siddharth Chaudhary, SDOP, and a local police inspector.
“Curfew has been imposed in many areas of Khargone town and might be extended to other areas if the situation doesn’t improve,” stated local SDM SS Mujalde.
A similar attack on the Ram Navami procession was recorded at the Idgah-Jogwara Road area of Barwani district’s communally sensitive Sendhwa town when a procession of tribals was on its way from Bargaon village to join the main Ram Navami parade in Sendhwa town.
According to unsubstantiated accounts, a site of worship in the Mausam Chowk neighbourhood was afterwards vandalised.
Also Read: 2 JNU STUDENT GROUPS CLASHED IN HOSTEL ON RAM NAVAMI
