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Mumbai: Tension prevailed in the Yavat village in the Daund taluka in the Pune district on Friday following a clash between two groups over an objectionable social media post.
At the time of going to Press, the situation was described as tense but peaceful.
The incident saw stone pelting, tyre burning and vandalism at the house of the person who has written the social media post.
Police teams have to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd and control the situation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, is personally monitoring the situation.
Police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the mob. The situation is okay now,” Fadnavis said, adding that strict action would be taken against people who write objectionable posts.
“Please maintain calm…no now should take law and order in his or her hands,” he said, adding that those who disturb peace will not be spared.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the Guardian Minister of Pune district, rushed to the spot and spoke to members of both the communities.
Pune Rural’s Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill is camping at the site personally supervising the situation.
Gill said that police received information that a young boy posted an objectionable status on his WhatsApp/Facebook.
However, following the complaint, the boy was brought to the police station and action was initiated. “A few villagers too reached there. Our police team started a meeting with the representatives of the village to maintain peace in the village. But by then, the message on social media had become viral,” he said.
According to Gill, an incident had occurred in the village a week ago, so the situation was already tense here. “So, since the emotions were already heightened, villagers took to the streets and a few youngsters attempted to vandalise a structure,” he said.
The situation is calm and peaceful now, he said.