Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Clashes break out in Mira Road, Panvel

Cops were present on site on Monday morning. Pic/Hanif Patel

Thirteen people were arrested after they attacked and damaged vehicles bearing saffron flags while shouting ‘Jai Shree Ram' slogans on Sunday night in the Mira Road area. And, in Panvel, two groups clashed after bikers from a mandal took out a rally and shouted slogans about the temple consecration at Ayodhya.

On Monday evening the tensions flared further as two groups pelted stones at each other, resulting in injuries. One man was also seen brandishing a gun during a rally chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram' slogans. Police are on the hunt to arrest him after the video went viral on social media. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and instructed the police to take strict action against those disrupting law and order.

A man brandishing a gun during the rally

According to local residents, a group from another community instigated them, following which the police intervened and registered an FIR. The police were aware of the situation and should have taken adequate precautions and restricted entry for such miscreants. If there had been enough police presence a day in advance, the situation would not have escalated to such an extent.

According to police officials, the incident occurred on Sunday around 10 pm in Naya Nagar, Mira Road, where a group of 10-15 people in a car shouted 'Jai Shree Ram'. Two groups got into an argument, leading to a fight. One group attacked the saffron flag bearers with bamboo sticks and damaged 5-7 vehicles. Five people were injured and taken to the hospital. The incident was recorded by the crowd, and the videos were widely circulated on social media platforms.

Vehicles bearing saffron flags attacked on Sunday night

Police sources told mid-day, "We apprehended three people on the spot after the incident, and others were arrested on Monday morning. The arrest of these individuals led to a crowd of 200-300 people gathering outside Naya Nagar police station on Monday. The commissioner instructed Vasai Virar police to increase personnel and deploy officers outside mosques, temples, and other religious places in the area. Police personnel were deployed in Mira Road, and a curfew was imposed. The situation is under control."

The crowd outside Naya Nagar police station protested and demanded the release of innocent people who were falsely arrested. After scanning CCTV footage, the police released three people who were found to be uninvolved in the incident. A police officer said, "We have so far arrested around 13 people who attacked those chanting 'Jai Shree Ram' and damaged their vehicles. We are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing the accused."

Cops were present on site on Monday morning. Pic/Hanif Patel

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, "I have received all the information about the incident at Naya Nagar in Mira Road. I was in touch with the MBVV police until 3.30 am. I have ordered strict action against those who disturbed law and order. The police have taken action against 13 people and are reviewing CCTV footage to trace other accused individuals. We will not tolerate anyone who disrupts law and order, and strict action will be taken against them."

Police are also circulating messages through social media not to believe such rumours and not to take the law into their own hands. More than 1,000 cops are now deployed at Mira Road with batons, tear gas, helmets, shields, and barricades throughout the area. Those people who were standing in the group were also asked to go home and not create any panic in the area.

Two groups clash in Panvel

On Monday around 3.30 pm two groups clashed in Panvel City. Police said, at Maulana Azad Chowk, some youths who were part of a bike rally shouted slogans which led to a clash between the crowd present and the youths. As the dispute between the two groups got heated, a scuffle broke out. Two youths were seriously injured in the scuffle. Seeing the tense situation, a Rapid Action Force team was called.

The atmosphere in Panvel was tense as Kamothe, Panvel taluka police along with Panvel City police were called to Maulana Azad Chowk area to keep everything under control. The youth and the mandal of the Kumbharwada area took out a joint procession in the afternoon. "The procession ended with an event in the evening. The deputy commissioner of police, the assistant commissioner, the senior police inspector, were present. In this incident, three bikes were vandalised, and two people injured. Police suspect the bikers were not from Panvel City," said a police officer.

1,000
Approx no of cops deployed in Mira Bhayandar