Amid the festive fever of Ganesh Chaturthi, Surat city witnessed riots in old wall city areas. The riots took place after four teenagers allegedly pelted stones to damage a Ganesh idol and allegedly injured a man. After this, the damage allegedly resulted in people pelting stones and setting parked vehicles ablaze near the Saiyedpura police station.
According to the Police officials, they have reportedly apprehended the four and two other accused teenagers and have detained around 27 persons allegedly involved in the stone pelting.A social media statement on Monday morning by Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi also confirms the same
Reportedly, Sanghavi, Surat North BJP MLA Kanti Balar, Surat Mayro Daxesh Mavani and Surat Police commissioner Anupam Singh Ghalaut had reached both the station and the pandal on Sunday night. A video made rounds over the internet where Sanghavi could be seen saying, “Before the first rays of the sun, the accused will be apprehended and even those who are behind the scenes instigating the teenagers will not be spared and they will be dealt with strictly. Combing has started in the affected areas. Those who wanted to harm the peace of Gujarat will not be spared.”
According to the police sources and The Indian Express reports, the first incident occurred at the Variyavi bazar Ganesh pandal on the roadside, where the accused teenagers were passing by in an auto rickshaw after 9 pm.
As per the details of the incidents, a stone vandalised the idol and another hit a man standing in the pandal, ahead of this, a mob quickly gathered.The mob eventually dispersed after the officials assured them of the arrests of the accused, all of which reportedly took place based on CCTV footage and combing the neighbourhood.
Lalgate police registered an offence of damage at the Ganesh Pandal and of rioting at the police chowki area.
VHP General Secretary Met Surat Police Commissioner
Ahead of the incident, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary of Surat Nilesh Akbari and his team members met Surat police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut at the police bhavan on Monday afternoon.
After the meeting, Akbari said, “We condemn the incident of the stone pelting done by the teenagers on the Ganesh Pandal. This incident is similar to the earlier incidents of youths who hurled stones. Such incidents will not be tolerated in the future.
We appreciate the steps taken by police and the arrest of the accused. We requested the cops to ensure that no such incident occurs again as eight days of this festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) are left,” he added.
