Representative image of demolition by a JCB.
Credit: iStock Photo
Ahmedabad: Two days after a group of people were found to be involved in a case of rioting and creating "panic" among commuters in Ahmedabad, the civic authority on Saturday, with the help of police, demolished houses of seven of the 14 suspects, which were allegedly built illegally.
Meanwhile, several video clips surfaced and were widely shared on social media platforms as well as local news channels showing the police "punishing" the suspects by flogging them with sticks. The merciless beatings have been recorded in presence of policemen in uniforms while those flogging the suspects were in plainclothes.
On Thursday night, a mob of about 20 men allegedly attacked commuters and vandalised vehicles with sticks and swords in Vastra locality. Their alleged vandalism was recorded and shared on social media questioning the law and order situation in Ahmedabad city.
A day later, the police arrested 14 suspects including a minor after registering an FIR with Ramol police station based on a complaint filed by one Alap Soni. He alleged that his family was out celebrating his parents' marriage anniversary when the suspects armed with sticks and swords attacked them.
On Saturday, a team of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) along with hundreds of policemen demolished the houses of seven of the accused. These houses were located in Amraiwadi and Khokhra localities in the city. Senior officials including Ahmedabad police commissioner also visited the spot during the demolition drive.
On the other hand, social media was flooded with footage of suspects getting flogged in full public view.
Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay held a video conference with senior police officers of the state and instructed them to prepare a list of "anti-social elements" in their jurisdiction and take strict action against them in the next 100 hours.
In a statement, he said that repeated offenders involved in offenses such as extortion, intimidation, crimes against property, liquor prohibition and gambling, theft and other anti-social acts should be included in this list.