Ahmedabad, 5 October 2014

Update: TV reports suggest that Navrangpura Police Sub Inspector AB Gohil’s loaded revolver with six rounds has been snatched away by rioters in Shahpur area. Gohil(in picture below) has suffered head injury.

Update: At around 8.00 pm, the situation is in control. Police has conducted combing operation. Police officers are meeting Shanti samiti members.

Police men in Ahmedabad’s Muslim majority Shahpur area were attacked with stones, bottles and crude bombs on Sunday evening. Police lobbed over 60 tear gas shells to control the rioters.

It is believed that police also fired 10 rounds in air to control the rioters, however there’s no official confirmation to this detail,and police commissioner has denied this.

The situation was so tense that Police Commissioner himself visited the area in the evening.

Police used armored vehicles to penetrate into narrow streets, used by rioters to attack the police force.

It is believed that the some locals in Shahpur and Mirzapur area are unhappy with police’s strict vigil this year in this locality to prevent cow slaughters ahead of Bakra-Eid. On Saturday, police had detained two vehicles and arrested six persons in two separate incidents related to illegal cow trafficking and attack on police. Four of them were arrested from Shahpur/Mirzapur area where police rescued 14 calves being trafficked for slaughter.

Speaking about today’s violence, city police commissioner said: “When Crime Branch of Ahmedabad city police arrived in a locality behind Rangila police chowky to arrest an accused, there was some misunderstanding among locals due to which a mob pelted stones. Additional police force and officers arrived and controlled the situation. Prominent local persons are trying to ensure peace. Tomorrow is Bakra-Eid and police force will extend every help to ensure peaceful celebration.”

At least one police man is believed to be injured. State police chief has reportedly moved extra SRP force to Shahpur area. Rapid Action Force(RAF) team is already deployed here. City police has called police staff from other police stations.

Meanwhile, Metro court in Ahmedabad today granted two-days remand to two accused arrested yesterday in alleged cow trafficking case in Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad. City Crime Branch Police Inspector had to fire three rounds from his revolver to puncture tyres of a vehicle allegedly used for smuggling of cows.

Also read: Bakra Eid: Clash between butchers and Police in Ahmedabad over cows