Gujarat VHP leader detained while holding dharna against arrests of ‘innocents’

Gandhidham: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Gujarat leader Ashok Raval was detained by police at Gandhidham in Kutch. Raval was here to stage dharna opposite the district police office, protesting the arrests of ‘innocent’ persons in connection with violence in Kidana village where a procession of VHP was attacked in Masjid Chowk area.

VHP leaders had organized a procession to collect funds for construction of Ram Janmabhumi mandir in Ayodhya. A mob of Muslims in Masjid chowk area pelted stones over this procession following which, Hindu community people also gathered there. In a communal clash that sparked off, two groups, each in size of 200 persons pelted stone, involved in arson and also used sticks. Police Sub Inspector GB Majirana suffered leg injury. Other police men, driver Talib Malvant, Durgadan Avaldan, Devraj Kana who were in bandobast also suffered injuries. Five police vehicles were damaged by rioters. A rickshaw and Chhakdo vehicle were torched.

Sub Inspector Majirana later filed complaint under sections 188, 143, 147, 148, 149, 151, 436, 332, 337, 338, 324, 427 in addition to sections 3, 7 and 135.

As per a complaint filed by Vipul Dhanji Zaru, resident of Ahirvas, a procession recahed Kidana from Bharapar and passed through Muslim populated area. 200 Muslims gathered against the procession. They included taluka panchayat former vice president Iqbal Hussain Chavda, Paniwala, Ibrahim, Kasam Kakkal, former Sarpanch Hussain Khamisha Chavda, his son Salman Hussain Chavda among others. They issued threat and against passing of procession and later started stone pelting. They broke Bhagwan Ram’s picture and hurt religious sentiments. They also looted the cash that was put on the feet of Bhagwan Ram’s picture. They also used sharp weapons including swords. In this attack, Vipul Zaru, Dipak Sathwara, Shashi Chaudhary were injured and hospitalized.

Police had to lobb 25 tear gas shells to control rioting mobs. Two tear smoke cells, four stun shells, two wood shells, 4 stun granade, 3 plastic TS shells, two soft shells were also lobbed.

Police also seized 13 vehicles including mopeds and bikes from the spot and started search of the owners.

In related incident a 30-year old person, resident of Kidana village but originally from Jharkhand, Arjun Manki Savaiya was stabbed to death. At around 7.30 pm on Sunday, Nurmamad was carrying two women and three gents from Adipur in his rickshaw when a group of 40-50 persons stopped him near Ahir Samajwadi and attacked the rickshaw. One of persons in this mob stabbed passenger Arjun to death. A rickshaw was torched later. Police has booked a mob of 40-50 persons on complaint filed by Nurmamad.

In reaction to Kidana incident, a group of persons entered into Antarjal based mosque and torched a wooden cabin outside the mosque. Damages were done to Adipur based fish market and Selanipir dargah. Jusab Taiyab Bapda has filed complaint in Adipur police station against accused under section 143, 147, 148, 149, 120, 120B, 295, 427, 448 and GP act 135.

Violence was also reported from Sadau village of Mundra taluka in connection with seperate procession of VHP there. Mundra Police has filed cross complaints. At around 3 pm, a procession reached Sadau village of Mundra taluka and faced stone pelting by Kadarsha saiyad, Akramsha Saiyad and 8-10 other persons as per a complaint filed by Mundra based Narendrasinh Sodha.

Mundra Police has for breach of notification booked 300 including Narendrasinh Sodha, Sanjay Bapat, Bhima Gadhvi, Gopal Gadhvi, Mohan Gadhvi, Amul Chothani, Jayesh Maharaj, Kanaiya Gadhvi, Bhojraj Gadhvi, Gopal Bharu, Haresh Mali, Swaraj Mangal, Punshi Gadhvi, Balwantsinh Mer, Devram Raviya, Ala Gadhvi, Bachu Bhagat, Pavubha Sama among others. Police has also booked Aziz Gilva, Kakku alias Mamad Node, Akramsha Mamadha Saiyad, Arifha, Sikandar Hussai Aadh, Salemamad Mamad Juneja, Samuyibibi Saiyad, Ashiyana Banu Kadarsha Saiyad, Mamadsha Saiyad, Khalifa Abreman, Gafur JJuma Juneja and 15 others. DeshGujarat