Maharashtra: Clashes over social media post leave one dead, eight injured in Akola
The violence erupted after a group’s religious sentiments were hurt, a senior police official said.
One person died and eight others were injured in Maharashtra’s Akola city on Saturday after clashes broke out between two communities over a social media post, PTI reported. Among those injured are two policemen.
The district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting large gatherings in the jurisdictions of four police stations.
“Violence erupted in the district after a group’s religious sentiments were hurt,” Akola’s Superintendent of Police Sandeep Ghuge told ANI. “There were tensions among the groups and incidents of stone pelting were reported. Vehicles were also damaged and torched at some places.”
The police have detained 30 persons in connection with the violence.
#UPDATE | Tension prevailed between the two communities over hurting religious sentiments. Stone pelting happened, vehicles were also damaged. Heavy police deployment is there in the city. One was brought dead to Civil Hospital, but we are investigating it. As of now, 26 people… pic.twitter.com/oZ8UZKafnA
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2023
Additional Superintendent of Police Monika Raut said that 1,000 personnel of the State Reserve Police Force from the Amravati district have been deployed in Akola, according to PTI.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was in touch with the director general of police, as well as, the Akola Police since last night. “Now the situation is completely under control and there is peace,” his office said in a statement, according to ANI.