Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Reiterating that the Nagpur communal clashes were a pre-planned conspiracy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday assured to “dig the accused out of their graves” even as the police arrested Fahim Khan, a local politician and activist, who is believed to the mastermind of the clashes.
A bunch of FIRs revealed shocking details of how the protestors misbehaved and made obscene gestures towards women, tried to disrobe a lady police personnel and attacked cops.
“It was a pre-planned conspiracy…we will dig them out from their graves, but won’t spare those who attacked police,” Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, told the Maharashtra Legislature.
Meanwhile, the situation in Nagpur, the winter capital of the state, was peaceful amid heightened security arrangements.
Khan, who orchestrated the attacks, has been seen in several CCTV footage that the police have recovered after the incident.
Khan is the Nagpur district President of the Minorities Democratic Party.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Khan had unsuccessfully contested the Nagpur seat against BJP’s Nitin Gadkari, who is now the Union Road Transport & Highways Minister.
The Nagpur police have registered five FIRs into the incident and have arrested 51 persons so far.
Khan’s arrest came just hours after his name was officially included in an FIR registered at Ganeshpeth police station.
The mob also hurled petrol bombs, boulders and stones at the police during the violence and attacked people with weapons, according to the bunch of FIRs related to the incident following rumours that the holy Quran was burnt during an agitation by Right-wing bodies and political parties for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb from Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
During the incident, taking advantage of the darkness, the group tried to touch a woman constable of the Riot Control Police (RCP) and tried to disrobe her. “They used abusive language and passed vulgar remarks against other women police personnel. The rioters also made objectionable gestures towards them and attacked them,” police said.
Police chief visits affected areas
Meanwhile, Nagpur City Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singhal inspected several localities which were affected by the violence on Monday evening. Asked about the investigations, he said: “Interrogations and investigations were in progress.” On the gestures against ladies, he said: “CCTV footage is being examined.”
No-drone zone over Aurangzeb's grave in Khuldabad
Amid heightened security arrangements at the complex housing the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has been declared as a no-drone zone. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District Collector Dilip Swami, wisited the ASI-protected site on Tuesday evening and reviewed the security arraignments in the wake of the developments.
VHP, BD workers surrender
Eight workers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal surrendered before Kotwali police. Police arrested them and produced them before the court. Some office-bearers of the VHP and BD have been booked for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.