Akola Violence: Internet Shutdown, Section 144 imposed

A violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Akola in Maharashtra. Visuals purportedly showed members of the two groups pelting stones at each other, damaging vehicles and creating a ruckus on the streets. One person was killed and eight others, including two policemen, were injured in the clash.

One person was killed and eight others, including two policemen, were injured after a clash broke out between members of two communities in Maharashtra's Akola city over a social media post, officials said on Sunday (May 15). Credit: PTI Photo

The police have detained 26 people in connection with the incident which took place at around 11.30 pm on Saturday in the sensitive Old City area, they said. Credit: PTI Photo

District Magistrate Neema Arora ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful assembly of people, in four police station areas in the city to maintain law and order. Credit: PTI Photo

Some vehicles were also damaged in the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monika Raut said.

Those injured included two policemen who were hurt when the rioters pelted stones,

According to local administration, state Deputy State Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Akola district, was monitoring the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace. Heavy security was deployed in the city following the incident, ASP Raut said. The police appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in any rumour. Credit: PTI Photo