Ram Navami clashes: CM Shivraj Singh says 'no place for rioteers in MP'

One person was killed as communal clashes erupted in four states – Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand, during Ram Navami processions on Sunday (April 10).

In Gujarat, a person lost his life and another one was injured in Khambhat city. Himmatnagar too witnessed violence, police said.

The clashing groups indulged in stone pelting and arson at both the places and the police had to lob tear gas shells to bring the situation under control, officials said.

“The body of an unidentified man, who appears to be around 65 years old, was recovered from the spot in Khambhat, where two groups pelted each other with stones after a clash broke out between them during a Ram Navami procession late this afternoon,” Superintendent of Police Ajeet Rajyan said.

Another person was injured and a few shop cabins were set on fire by the miscreants during the incident, he said, adding that the situation was later brought under control using tear gas shells.

The deceased appears to have died due to the injuries he suffered during the clash. Investigation into the incident is underway, Rajyan said.

A similar clash was reported in Himmatnagar and police had to use tear gas shells to control the violent mob that damaged some vehicles and shops, police said.

In Bengal’s Howrah too clashes were reported. The opposition BJP alleged that police personnel “thrashed” people who were participating in a Ram Navami procession.

Ram Bhakts aren’t safe in WB. Howrah Police Commissionerate personnel thrashed participants of a Ram Navami procession at Shibpur. Many got injured.
Can’t Sanatani devotees practice their religion in this State safely?@HMOIndia@jdhankhar1@HomeBengal
DGP @WBPolice@chief_west pic.twitter.com/X6KVq1hKBP

— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) April 10, 2022

“Ram Bhakts aren’t safe in WB. Howrah Police Commissionerate personnel thrashed participants of a Ram Navami procession at Shibpur. Many got injured. Can’t Sanatani devotees practice their religion in this State safely? (sic),” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari tweeted with videos and pictures.

In Madhya Pradesh, curfew was clamped in the entire Khargone city on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday after stones were hurled at a Ram Navami procession. Stone-pelting triggered arson and torching of some vehicles and houses, a senior official said on Monday. Police had to fire tear gas shells to control the situation.

MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the situation and said the rioteers will not be spared. “The Khargone incident was unfortunate. We have identified the culprits and they will be put behind bars. They will also be made to pay for the losses to both public and private properties,” the CM said on Monday (April 11).

पूरे खरगोन शहर में कर्फ़्यू लागू है। मेडिकल इमरजेंसी सेवा के लिए ADM श्री एसएस मुजाल्दा के नं. 9425192554, खरगोन SDM श्री मिलिंद ढोके के नं. 9826035969, SDOP श्री रोहित अलावा के नं. 8878626928 और टीआई श्री बनवारी मंडलोई के नं. 9827343799 पर संपर्क कर सकते हैं।#JansamparkMP https://t.co/QLOX9Fdqfq

— Collector Khargone (@CollecterK) April 11, 2022

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the situation in Khargone is under control. The police have identified 77 people.

Khargone Collector Anugrah P said citizens have been asked to step out of home only for medical emergencies and added that the situation is under control.

The collector also said that strict action will be taken against those sharing objectionable messages and videos of the Khargone incident on social media.

MP Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, who is also in-charge of Khargone district, tweeted that he had spoken to IG and collector over phone and instructed them to take strict action against rioters.

खरगोन में आज असामाजिक तत्वों द्वारा शहर का माहौल खराब करने की कोशिश की गई।

मैंने आईजी और कलेक्टर से फोन पर बात कर उपद्रवियों के खिलाफ़ सख्त कार्यवाही करने के निर्देश दिए हैं, पत्थरबाजों और दोषियों को बख्शा नहीं जाएगा, हम कानून हाथ में लेने वालों को छोड़ेंगे नहीं।

— Kamal Patel (@KamalPatelBJP) April 10, 2022

According to reports, Jharkhand’s Lohardaga too witnessed stone-pelting and arson incidents during Ram Navami processions and several people were injured.

शहर में पुलिस फोर्स तैनात

खरगोन शहर में शांति ,सौहार्द को लेकर @comindore डॉ. पवन शर्मा, @CollecterK श्रीमती अनुग्रहा पी, निमाड़ रेंज डीआईजी श्री तिलक सिंह ने संभाला मोर्चा। हालात अभी शांतिपूर्ण है।@JansamparkMP @mohdept @DGP_MP @PHQ_Editorial @IGP_INDORE @khargonepolice1 pic.twitter.com/mIcMEqF1YX

— PRO JS Khargone (@PROJSKhargone) April 10, 2022

(With inputs from Agencies)