A mob of Islamist conducting a procession on Tuesday were set in place by the Madhya Pradesh(MP) police after they tried entering a restricted area on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi – the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Reportedly, the violent incident transpired in the Pinjarwadi locality in Dhar when the Islamists, enraged for not being allowed to carry the procession through the restricted area, created a ruckus by breaking the police barricades and pelting stones.
Unruly Islamist crowd
Superintendent of Police Aditya Pratap Singh said that situation went a little south at around 10:30 am on Tuesday (October 19). Instead of the route prescribed by the police and administration, the raucous crowd wanted to take a different route. According to eyewitnesses, the procession started from Gulmohar Colony and was scheduled to return to the same place after passing through various other areas in the city.
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The administration used mild force
However, as it happened, the procession turned towards Mohan Talkies area when it reached Old Nagar Palika. As a result, the MP police used batons to disperse the crowd. Mild laathi-charge was conducted and the crowd was brought under control. After the incident, Singh stated that the people responsible for the incident (violating guidelines) will be identified and action will be taken against them after investigation, the official said.
According to an India Today report, the police have identified 51 people who were involved in the incident, based on evidence from the CCTV footage. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Devendra Patidar said, “A case has been registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 147 (rioting) and hampering the government work of the IPC and provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act for violation of coronavirus guidelines, deviating from the agreed route and disturbing the law-and-order situation.”
Reportedly, around ten people have sustained minor injuries after getting into a brawl with the police. As per a senior police officer, the situation is now under control.
Violent incidents reported across MP
According to an HT report, meanwhile, in Jabalpur, a Muslim mob was taking out a procession in the Gohalpur area, and when police tried to stop them, they threw firecrackers at police personnel.
“As many as 30 teargas shells were fired to control the mob. In the attack, six police personnel have been injured. Two separate FIRs are being registered for rioting with a deadly weapon, assaulting a public servant to deter him from discharging his duty and violating the orders duly promulgated by a public servant.” remarked Siddharth Bahuguna, Jabalpur superintendent of police
Props should be given to MP police for taking quick action in both cases and stopping the incident before it could snowball into a major communal episode.