1 dead, 174 held as mob, cops clash near Gujarat mosque

One person, said to be a bystander, was killed while four policemen sustained injuries in a violent clash between a mob of 500 to 600 and police personnel Friday night in Junagadh over notices issued for demolishing a dargah to clear "encroachment." By Saturday evening, police rounded up 174 people after registering an FIR under the charges of murder, arson, among others.

Police said that on Friday night near Majevadi Darwaja a large number of crowd had gathered outside Hazarat Gebansha Pir dargah (shrine) in the old Junagadh city. Local sources said that mob had gathered following issuance of notice dated June 14 asking for showing documents related to the ownership of the shrine. They said that the notice was widely shared on social media which led to the assembly of the large number of people against the notice.

"In recent past, the city has seen demolition of several religious shrines. Some of the demolition were challenged in Gujarat high court where the matters are pending. The fresh issuance of notice is the reason behind gathering of so many people who got agitated and attacked police," a local source told DH.

Sources said the dargah is a registered trust and some of the members met Waqf board to intervene. The notice is also likely to be challenged in high court. They said that the civic authority had attempted to demolish the shrine about 20-25 years ago as well. Despite repeated attempts, civil authority officials couldn't be contacted.

Meanwhile, addressing media after the violence, Junagadh superintendent of police, Ravi Teja Vasamsetty, said that "A crowd of 500 to 600 people had gathered near the shrine and blocked roads. They were agitated over the notice issued to the mosque." He added that for nearly 45 minutes police tried to convince the crowd but at around 10.15 pm, stones were pelted at the police and shouting slogans, some of agitators started attacking the police.

The SP said that the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The police used five tear gas shells and dye marker grenade shells to control the situation. During the violence, four policemen including a woman police sub inspector, Kinjal Maru, suffered injuries.

According to police, one person identified as Bhodabhai Sutreja, 62, reportedly died. During the press conference, Vasamsetty said that prima facie Sutreja died due to stone pelting. When contacted, Inspector General of Police, Junagadh range, Mayanksinh Chavda, told DH that Sutreja was "an innocent bystander" who died due to stone pelting.

By Saturday, police had rounded up 174 persons who are alleged to have been involved in the violence. They have been booked for murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, arson, criminal conspiracy, among others charges. A video of two men, covering their faces, has widely been shared on social media showing two masked men beating several men whose hands are tied outside the mosque. Police officials refused to authenticate the video.