Aurangabad riots: Video of cops with rioters goes viral

MUMBAI, DHNS: A video of some police accompanying purported miscreants during the communal riots, which occurred on Friday and Saturday, in the Aurangabad city has gone viral on social media.

While there is no immediate confirmation on whether the video is of the Aurangabad riots, which has claimed 2 lives and injured over 50 others, police have ordered a probe into it.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has stated that the miscreants behind the communal riots would not be spared.

Special Inspector General of Police of Aurangabad Range Milind Bharambe has ordered a probe into the video.

The Maharashtra government has asked Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Bipin Bihari to look into the issue.

Two persons — a 65-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy — were killed in the clashes between two communities which started over illegal water connections in the city.

Meanwhile, the situation in the historic town has returned to normalcy.

“The situation is absolutely under control,” Bharambe said, adding that seven companies of State Reserve Police Force and one company of Riot Control Police are deployed. 

He confirmed that there has been two deaths. “One died in the firing of plastic bullets and another by falling off a slab,” he said, adding that some police officers and men have been injured. “One police officer is in critical condition,” he added.

“Three FIRs have been filed… a number of people have been detained. Arrests would be made post verification,” he said.

Meanwhile, senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that the incident reflects the functioning of the home department. "Time and again, we have stressed on the need to have a full-fledged home minister," he said, adding that also an important city like Aurangabad has an officer, who is officiating as the commissioner and not a full-fledged commissioner.

The Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the BJP, said that the riots seem to be pre-planned. "It is clear that the riots were communal and not some clashes between two groups. The way petrol bombs were used within the first 15 minutes of riots is enough to conclude that it was a pre-planned attack," said editorials in party mouthpieces Saamana and Dophar ka Saamana.