Lucknow Press
Surat: There was a ruckus during Ganesh Utsav in Surat, Gujarat on Sunday night. The crowd created a ruckus at midnight and vandalized several vehicles. It is being told that the entire dispute started over stone pelting on the idol of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Puja was going on till late evening in Surat’s Variavi Bazaar area, but by night the entire atmosphere suddenly turned violent. In a short while, the crowd became violent and the police was seen chasing the crowd with sticks. Tear gas shells were also fired to control the crowd.
Who pelted stones at the statue of Lord Ganesha?
People complained that stones were first pelted on the statue of Lord Ganesha. The blame was on people from the minority community. After this, people surrounded the police station with their complaint. A large crowd started shouting slogans outside the police station. Seeing the situation worsening, the local MLA also had to come, but people were not ready to listen. Later, the police had to use force to disperse the crowd.
Crowd flared up after police action
The crowd got angry with the police action and started creating a ruckus. People in the crowd vandalized several vehicles and set many vehicles on fire. Then the police immediately started looking for the miscreants and started searching for them through drones. However, the situation came under control late at night. But, seeing the seriousness of the situation, the police team kept patrolling the streets. Senior police officers were also seen roaming with the team.
Why is there conflict in Surat?
Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said, ‘Some children pelted stones at the Ganesh pandal, after which a clash broke out. The police immediately removed those children from there. Police was immediately deployed in the area. Lathicharge was done everywhere, tear gas was used in areas where it was needed. All the accused who disturbed the peace are being arrested, about 1,000 policemen are deployed all around and the public is also present here.’
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said, ‘Today 6 people pelted stones on Ganesh Pandal in Sayedpura area of Surat. All these 6 people have been arrested. Police have also arrested 27 other people who were involved in cheering. Investigation of the incident is going on. Police is deployed in all areas of Surat, action will be taken against those who disturb the peace.’
