29 booked for rioting during 'raids' in Ahmedabad

The Ahmedabad Police have booked 29 people for rioting, loot and attack on an officer on duty during a post-midnight operation in a locality inhabited by people from a notified tribe.

“The police received tip-off that some people were involved in ferrying alcohol illegally in small vehicles (in Chharanagar area). When our policemen were checking vehicles, some people abused them and pelted stones. Three of our men were injured,” said ACP Ashok Yadav.

Chharanagar in Ahmedabad is a ghetto inhabited by people from the Chharas tribe. The area witnesses frequent police raids as some people from the community make a living by brewing illegal liquor. However, several members of the community are also known for their contribution to the fields of art, including theatre and movie making.

The police are blaming some youngsters from the community for abusing them and attacking them, even as locals allege that it was the area PSI who was in an inebriated state and got into an altercation with a local, Jigar Indrekar.

The police claim that a group of over 100 youngsters attacked them. The locals say that about 300-400 policemen entered Chharanagar and began beating people who were standing and vented their anger on parked vehicles by damaging them with batons.

While the ACP denied the allegations, CCTV footage of the policemen damaging parked vehicles and driving into the deserted area in their vehicles began doing the rounds on social media.

“We have not seen any such videos but when we do get hold of them, we will review it and initiate action against any erring policemen,” Yadav said.

Activists and locals gathered outside the Sardarnagar Police Station on Friday, where some locals have been detained and threatened to initiate legal action against the police over its brutal use of force.

“If the police find any violation by individuals, they should have acted against individuals and not against the entire community. This is an organised attack. They should not have taken such a large force, that too without women constables, and beat even women,” said Samshad Pathan, a lawyer and an activist.

The incident has also irked the local Bar Council as three lawyers are among the injured. The council has sought immediate suspension of erring policemen.

“It was a simple incident but three lawyers, a photojournalist and innumerable people have been targeted and beaten up. This is not mob lynching but police lynching. The legal fraternity will fight back,” said Anil Kella, member of the local Bar Council.