Nagpur: At least 50 people were arrested after violent clashes broke out in central Nagpur late Monday night. The unrest followed protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad, escalating into widespread chaos, injuries and destruction.
Dozens were wounded in the violence, including 10 anti-riot commandos, two senior police officers and two firemen. A constable remains in critical condition. Mobs torched two bulldozers and 40 vehicles, including police vans, as security forces struggled to restore order. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report on the situation, just two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Nagpur.
Unrest Fueled by Rumours & Social Media Misinformation
The violence erupted after reports surfaced that protesters from a particular community had burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate, just 2 km from the RSS headquarters.
In response, another group gathered in large numbers, demanding immediate action against those involved. The situation quickly escalated, leading to stone-pelting, arson, and violent confrontations with the police. Officials stated that misinformation spread through social media majorly fueled tensions.
Security forces deployed riot-control measures, including water cannons and tear gas, to disperse the rioters. DCPs Archit Chandak and Niketan Kadam were injured while attempting to control the crowds. Firefighters, who were trying to douse flames from burning vehicles, were also caught in the violence.
Police Crackdown and Security Measures
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal deployed over 1,000 officers and imposed prohibitory orders in Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura to curb movement in high-risk areas, reported Times of India. Key roads were sealed, while additional reinforcements and intelligence teams were brought in to prevent further escalation. Despite heavy security, sporadic stone-throwing incidents continued into the night.
Authorities used CCTV-equipped surveillance vehicles and public address systems to monitor the situation and issue warnings. Local peace committees were also activated, urging community leaders to step in and de-escalate tensions.
CM Fadnavis Urges Nagpur Residents To Maintain Peace
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urged Nagpur residents to maintain peace. "Nagpur has always been a city of harmony. I request citizens not to believe in rumors and to cooperate with the police," Fadnavis said.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Issues Statement
Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal provided an update on the situation, assuring that peace had been restored. Speaking to ANI, he said, "The situation is currently peaceful. A photo was burned, which led to people gathering and making a request. We acted on it, and some even came to my office to meet me. They were informed that an FIR had been lodged based on the names they provided, and action would be taken accordingly."
Regarding the violence, he stated, "The incident occurred around 8-8:30 pm. Not many vehicles have been torched; we are assessing the damage. So far, two vehicles have been set on fire, and stone-pelting took place." He added that the police were conducting combing operations to identify and arrest those involved.
To prevent further unrest, Section 144 has been imposed in the area, restricting public gatherings. "People have been advised not to step out unnecessarily or take the law into their own hands. Do not believe in rumors. Apart from this particular area, the rest of the city remains peaceful," Dr Singal assured.
VHP & Bajrang Dal Take Aggressive Stand
Meanwhile, protests also erupted in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, where Aurangzeb’s tomb is located. VHP and Bajrang Dal warned that if the government failed to act, they would take matters into their own hands. VHP further hinted at expanding their agitation across Marathwada and other districts if their demands were not met.
