NEW DELHI: Eight workers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal surrendered before Kotwali Police on Wednesday in connection with the recent violence in Nagpur.
They were arrested and later produced before the court, as Maharashtra police intensified its crackdown on those involved in the unrest.
The surrender comes as the Nagpur police registered FIRs against office-bearers of the VHP and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad).
Nagpur violence: Cops injured, vehicles torched, stone-pelting erupts
The violence erupted late Monday night in Mahal, just 2km from the fortified RSS headquarters. Protests over Aurangzeb’s tomb spiralled out of control, leading to large-scale arson, stone-pelting, and attacks on police personnel. The clashes left at least 10 anti-riot commandos, two IPS officers, and two firemen injured.
Mobs torched two JCB machines and 40 vehicles, vandalised police vans, and clashed with security forces. In response, police launched combing operations, arresting at least 50 rioters, while the Union home ministry sought a report on the incident.
TOI reported earlier that the unrest was triggered by rumours that right-wing activists had burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious ‘chadar’ near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate. As tensions escalated, crowds gathered, demanding action against those involved. The situation worsened at Chitnis Park Chowk, where riot-control police faced heavy stone-pelting.
With the violence spreading, curfew was imposed in several areas under Section 163. More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed across central Nagpur, sealing off key roads, including Fawwara Chowk, Gandhi Putla Chowk, and Badkas Chowk. Riot-control vehicles, including water cannons and tear gas units, were used to disperse mobs.
‘Key accused’ Fahim Khan arrested
Fahim Khan, president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), has been identified as one of the key instigators of the Mahal riot. Arrested a day ago by Ganeshpeth police, he had earlier led a mob to the police station to lodge a complaint after Bajrang Dal and VHP allegedly burned a Holi chadar and an effigy of Aurangzeb. The court has remanded Khan and 26 others to police custody until March 21 for interrogation. A resident of Yashodhara Nagar, Khan also recorded a video outside the police station criticising the authorities, which was later circulated on social media.
While Khan was not initially named in the FIR, police arrested him for allegedly inciting the mob, which later attacked police officers and the public in central Nagpur, with Mahal as the epicentre. “If not the mastermind, Khan is certainly an instigator. We witnessed him provoking the mob against the police and others,” said a senior police official.