Police accuse both groups of arson, rioting and defying curfew following football club anniversary clashes near Siddharth Nagar
JALGAON/KOLHAPUR — More than 400 people have been booked in connection with Friday night’s communal violence near Siddharth Nagar’s Kamani Gate area in the south Maharashtra city of Kolhapur. Police said 31 people have been identified so far, while the rest remain under investigation.
The violence broke out during the anniversary celebrations of a local football club, after objections were raised over the sound system being used. What began as a dispute soon escalated into stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. At least seven vehicles were set on fire and several shops and properties worth lakhs of rupees were damaged.
“We have filed cases under 18 sections of the Indian Penal Code. The charges include rioting in public spaces, damaging property, violating curfew orders, brandishing weapons to spread fear, and disobeying police instructions,” said a police officer.
Kolhapur police managed to bring the situation under control late Friday night, but tensions remain high. Additional police deployment continues in the affected neighbourhoods.
On Saturday, senior officers organised joint meetings with leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities to calm tempers. Gatherings were held at Siddharth Nagar’s Samaj Mandir and the Rajbagheshwar Dargah, followed by a reconciliation meeting at the Superintendent of Police’s office.
Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar, who chaired the peace meeting, told reporters: “Both sides have agreed to put an end to the clashes. We are closely monitoring the situation and will not allow the violence to spread further.”
According to police records, Constable Eknath Maruti Kalantre from Laxmipuri Police Station lodged the complaint, naming over 150–200 unidentified persons.
Listed suspects include Asif Shaikh, Shahrukh Shaikh, Kaushik Raju Patwiger, Suhail Patwiger, Tanveer Mujawar, Naushad Mujawar, Shahrukh Rikshaw-wala, Tausif Shaikh, Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, Ashfaq Gaswala, Jaber Inamdar Rikshaw-wala, Suhail Shaikh, Sameer Mistri Garage-wala, Parveen Bashir Shaikh, Ashraf Siddiqui, Ijaz Shaikh, Suhail Hakim, Faraz Naikwad, Nihal Shaikh, Saddam Shaikh, Ashfaq Naikwad, Iqbal Sarkawas, Bilal Shaikh, and Munna Siddiqui.
On the other side, cases have also been filed against Suraj Kamble, Abhijit Kamble, Shubham Kamble, Vijay Patkare, Mahesh Kamble, Lakhan Kamble, Ganesh Kamble and around 150–200 others from the locality.
A senior police source said: “The investigation is moving fast. CCTV footage and other evidence are being analysed to identify those responsible. Arrests will follow soon.”
Residents of Siddharth Nagar expressed fear and frustration over the outbreak of violence. Mohammad Asif, a local shopkeeper, said: “We were living peacefully. But this incident has ruined the atmosphere. Poor families are scared, and innocent people will suffer if police act without fairness.”
Another resident, Vijay Patkare, said: “We don’t want such fights. Both sides have suffered losses. The government must make sure no political group takes advantage of this situation.”
For now, peace has been restored but the area remains tense. Police have warned that anyone attempting to inflame communal passions will be dealt with strictly.
As investigations continue, questions are being raised locally about how a minor dispute over a loudspeaker turned into a large-scale communal confrontation.
