38-year-old Irfan Ansari succumbs to injuries five days after being attacked by a rioting mob
Team Clarion
NAGPUR — Days after large-scale violence rocked the otherwise peaceful city of Nagpur following a call by right-wing outfits to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the cost of damages caused during the arson and vandalism would be “recovered from the rioters themselves”.
“The cost of total damages caused during the riots will be calculated and recovered from the rioters themselves. If they fail to pay for the damages, their property will be sold,” Fadnavis told a press conference here on Saturday.
When asked if he would take ‘bulldozer action’ like in Uttar Pradesh, Devendra Fadnavis said, “Wherever required, bulldozers will also be used. “
“Action in Maharashtra would be taken in our way, wherever bulldozer action is needed we will do that. No one will be spared.”
Clashes broke out on March 17 after rumours spread that some verses of the Holy Quran were burned during the protest as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members burnt an effigy of the Mughal emperor wrapped in a green cloth having the Islamic verses embossed on it. This led to stone-pelting, arson, and attacks on shops. The police intervened, but one person died in the violence.
The violence that rocked Nagpur claimed its first victim Saturday when 38-year-old Irfan Ansari succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack by a mob.
Irfan Ansari passed away Saturday afternoon, five days after being injured. His death was confirmed by Dr Sagar Pandey, Deputy Medical Superintendent at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital.
At the press conference, Fadnavis said that 104 people, including 11 minors, have been arrested so far. More arrests are expected as police analyse the CCTV footage.
“Police action will continue until the last rioter is arrested,” he stated.
Authorities have also identified and removed 68 misleading social media posts that allegedly incited violence. “Those who spread rumours on social media will be made co-accused,” Fadnavis warned.
While some reports suggest a possible foreign connection to the riots, Fadnavis said it is too early to confirm. He assured compensation for victims whose cars were damaged and promised that the curfew in Nagpur would be lifted in stages.
“This kind of riot has not happened in Nagpur since 1992. This does not suit the culture of Nagpur,” he said, adding that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Lohit Matani said Hamid Engineer, the working president of the Minorities Democratic Party, was arrested late Friday. Engineer was called in for questioning as an accused in one of the FIRs filed by the Nagpur police’s cyber cell. The Indian Express quoted DCP Matani as saying he was arrested on charges of instigating violence.
Mohammad Shahzad, who runs the NNTV channel on Instagram and YouTube, was also taken into custody for promoting violence with subversive activities, DCP Matani added.
