‘My husband’s death left me devastated, and now both my sons have been taken away unjustly,’ says a recently widowed Shaista Sheikh
Team Clarion
NAGPUR – Communal violence that erupted in Nagpur on Monday night has led to a police crackdown in Muslim-majority areas, sparking allegations of indiscriminate arrests and brutality. Residents of Hansapuri and Bhaldarpura claim that police forces acted with excessive force, raiding homes and arresting innocent people, further escalating tensions in the already distressed locality.
Curfew has been imposed in the affected areas to restore law and order. However, the Muslim community alleges that police actions have been heavily one-sided.
One of the most shocking incidents took place at the residence of Shaista Sheikh, a recently widowed woman. According to Shaista, her house was raided by the police while she was observing a Fateha programme in memory of her husband, who had passed away ten days ago.
“The police entered the house and dragged innocent people out,” Shaista Sheikh stated. “My relatives had come for the ceremony, and my sons were also present. But as violence broke out outside, the police stormed into my house, breaking windows and doors. They arrested seven youths from my home without any reason.”
Shaista further alleged that the police brutality left one of her sons severely injured. “Due to their beating, one of my son’s eyes was gouged out. I am trying to get information about my arrested sons, but the police are refusing to tell me anything,” she said, breaking into tears.
Shaista and her daughter Nusra attempted to reach out to authorities and hospitals, but they were allegedly denied access. “My husband’s death left me devastated, and now both my sons have been taken away unjustly. Where should I go? Whom should I ask for help?” she lamented.
Chronology of the Violence:
• March 17, 1 PM: Around 30-35 Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers gather at Shivaji Chowk, Mahal, for a protest.
• 1:30 PM: A symbolic grave of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was set up and a green cloth with some Islamic verses embossed on it was burned, triggering anger among local Muslims.
• 3 PM: Muslim residents protest the act, leading to police intervention.
• 4 PM: More VHP workers assemble, and images of the symbolic grave-burning incident go viral on social media.
• 7 PM: Hindu and Muslim groups begin raising slogans against each other at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, leading to heightened tensions.
• 7:30 PM: Police try to disperse both groups, but at 8 PM, another group from Chitnis Park Chowk objected to the desecration of the green sheet, prompting further clashes.
• 8:30 PM: Both communities engaged in heavy sloganeering, which soon escalated into stone-pelting. The police ordered shop closures and attempted to control the situation, but rioting intensified.
• 9 PM: Violence spiralled as unidentified individuals set fire to JCBs and vehicles in Bhaldarpura and Chitnis Park.
• Midnight: Vehicles were vandalised, and houses were attacked in Hansapuri and near Gitanjali Theatre.
• Overnight: Police launched a combing operation, arresting about 80 people and detaining them at Ganesh Peth Police Station.
While law enforcement officials claim they acted to restore order, many Muslim residents argue that the crackdown has been heavily tilted against them. “Instead of arresting those responsible for the provocation, the police targeted us. They entered our homes, vandalised property, and dragged away innocent young men,” said an elderly resident of Bhaldarpura.
The fear and anguish among locals are palpable. “We are living in terror. Police were supposed to protect us, but they have turned into aggressors. Our boys are missing, our homes are destroyed, and no one is willing to listen to our pleas,” said a community leader, requesting anonymity.
With a curfew imposed and a heavy police presence in affected areas, tensions remain high. Community leaders and activists have called for an independent investigation into the police actions, demanding the immediate release of innocent detainees and accountability for the excessive force used.
“This is not law enforcement; this is collective punishment,” said a local activist. “The authorities need to act impartially, or else justice will remain elusive for those who have already suffered enough.”
