At least six people were arrested after some people threw stones at a Ganesh pandal in Surat, Gujarat, in the early hours of Monday and a clash broke out sparking communal tensions in the city.
The incident took place in the Sayedpura area, following which thousands of locals gheraoed a local police unit, demanding action against the accused. Heavy police force was deployed at the spot to bring the situation under control. Police also resorted to a lathi charge and used tear gas to manage the angry crowd.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Gehlot said, “Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from there… Police were immediately deployed in the area. Lathi charge was done in all the areas where it was needed and tear gas was used… All the accused who were involved in the peace disturbance are being arrested. There are around 1,000 police personnel deployed all around. And the public is also here …”
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said that six people pelted stones at a Ganesh Pandal and all of them have been arrested. The minister said that the police have arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such an incident, ANI reported.
At around 2.30 am, Sanghavi visited the spot and spoke to the locals to reduce tensions in the area. Sharing details about the police action, Sanghavi added that CCTV footage of the area was scanned to arrest the other accused.
Further investigation is underway.
(With inputs from agencies)