The attack occurred near Arvi village as the preachers were returning to Dhule from Malegaon; Police detain nine suspects after midnight assault
DHULE – Three Tablighi Jamaat members from the Maharashtra city of Dhule were seriously injured in an attack by a large group of men as they were returning from Malegaon late on Monday night. One of the victims suffered a fractured hand, while the others sustained serious injuries to the head and face.
The incident occurred near Arvi village around midnight when the group was travelling back to Dhule. According to local sources, nearly 30 to 40 men allegedly came out of nearby bushes and attacked the auto-rickshaw in which the three men were travelling. Two other companions were following the rickshaw on a motorcycle.
The injured men have been identified as Shoaib Ansari, Saleem Ansari and Salman Ansari. All three are residents of Dhule city and associated with a Tablighi Jamaat group from Masjid Ishaq.
Former corporator Ameen Patel was quoted by Inquilab that the group had gone to Malegaon for religious work and was returning home when the merciless attack took place.
“Three members of the Jamaat were travelling in an auto-rickshaw and two others were following them on a motorcycle. When they reached near Arvi village at around midnight, a mob suddenly attacked them with weapons,” Patel said.
He added that the police were informed immediately. “A team from Taluka Police reached the spot, but by then the three men had already suffered serious injuries. They were first admitted to the government hospital. Later, after legal formalities and considering the situation, they were shifted to a private hospital,” he said.
Speaking from the hospital, Shoaib Ansari said the attack was sudden and unprovoked.
“Around 30 to 40 people came out of the bushes and attacked our rickshaw. They were carrying weapons. We told them that we had gone to Malegaon for religious work and were returning to Dhule, our city. But they did not listen and started beating us badly,” he said.
The victims and their supporters claim that the attackers targeted them after noticing their beards and skull caps. “They were attacked only because of their appearance,” a family member alleged.
Shoaib Ansari suffered a serious head injury. Saleem Ansari’s hand was fractured in the assault, while Salman Ansari was hit on the face. Doctors said all three are under treatment and their condition is stable but serious.
As news of the attack spread, corporators from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) reached the Taluka police station and met Police Inspector Dhananjay Patil, demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers.
Police acted promptly and detained nine suspects from Arvi village. Those taken into custody have been identified as Kishor Mahale, Chetan Pawar, Aniket Barse, Vishal Bagle, Deepak Kale, Sahil Goli, Pavan Dhaigade, Narendra Koli and Chetan Sonawane.
The following day, a delegation of AIMIM corporators met District Superintendent of Police Shrikant Dhiware and demanded strict action against all those involved in the attack.
“Such incidents create fear among innocent citizens. We want all the accused to be arrested and given strict punishment,” one corporator said.
SP Dhiware assured the delegation that action would be taken. “No one will be spared. Strict legal steps will be taken against the guilty,” he told them, according to members of the delegation.
Locals said that incidents of attacks and robbery on travellers have been reported earlier in areas such as Arvi, Laling Ghat and Udhan village, especially at night. However, community leaders have stressed that the present attack appears to have a communal angle.
Community members have urged the administration to increase night patrolling and provide security to travellers.
“We want peace. People should be able to travel safely without fear,” said a senior resident of Dhule.
Police said further investigation is underway and more arrests are likely.
The attack has caused concern among residents, with calls for calm and strict enforcement of the law to prevent such incidents in the future.
