Attack on Majevadi police over notice for removal of illegal dargah in Junagadh; One death

Junagadh: A group of people in Junagadh attacked police vehicles, a GSRTC bus and caused injuries to three policemen including the DySP and two women police sub inspectors among others at around 10.15 pm today over the issue of notice of demolition served against an illegally built Dargah right opposite Majevadi darwaja.

Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) had issued a notice for removal of illegal dargah. On Friday evening, hundreds of Muslims could be seen gathered around the dargah in the evening. As per the police version they were there to block the road. At around 10.15 pm they created chaos and pelted stones targeting the police men outside the Majevadi police chowky. They also ransacked the police chowky. They damaged police vehicles also torched at least a couple of other vehicles. They also pelted stone over a GSRTC (Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation) bus. A driver of the bus was injured. Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the violent mob. One civilian person was dead due to stone injury.

Police briefing:

Gebansha dargah near Majevadi gate was served notice that within five days they need to show documents to JMC. The notice was issued on 14th and on 16th around 500 to 600 persons had gathered at Majevadi gate. While police were trying to convince for 45 minutes against the road block that they had planned, around 10.15 pm stone pelting started with slogans chanting.Police lathicharged to control the crowd. Five tear gas shells and dye marker grenade were used. DySP Junagadh, police sub inspector and other cops were injured but they are doing well. 174 persons are rounded up during combing operation through night. Six police teams are formed. One civilian person is dead. Preliminary it appears that the death was due to stone attack. Post moterm report is awaited. Three police four wheelers and two police two-wheelers were damaged. A driver of the bus that came under a stone attack was injured. JMC had on 14th served five-day notice for demolition of illegal dargah.

Accused caned

A few of the accused could be seen facing caning while standing next to dargah in Majevadi chowk. It is believed that they were part of the violent attack and this was a police way to deter the others against doing such violence.

Deceased was Polabhai Suteja

The victim who died in this attack is identified as Bhodabhai alias Polabhai Rinabhai Sutreja, a contractor and leading person from Maher community. He was a niece of former district president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Junagadh.