Maharastra: Over 130 people have been detained in connection with communal violence in Akola and Shevgaon in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district in the last two days. According to the police, more than 100 people have been detained in Akola and 32 in Shevgaon. Cases have been registered against 150 people in Shevgaon, located 65 km from the Ahmednagar district headquarters.
One person was killed and eight people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes in the sensitive Old City area of Akola on Saturday night over a religious post on social media. After the incident, the administration imposed a curfew in some areas. According to the police, members of both groups threw stones at each other and ransacked each other. The rioters also set ablaze some two-wheelers and four-wheelers during the violence.
Police ordered a curfew in four police station areas of the city to maintain law and order. On Monday, curfew was relaxed in the areas falling under the Kotwali and Ramdas Peth police station limits.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for the riots in Akola and Shevgaon and appealed to the people to maintain peace and social harmony.
State Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan met the family of Vilas Gaikwad (40), the person killed in the violence. He then told reporters, “Some houses and vehicles were damaged. Strict action will be taken against the guilty.” Mahajan said the government has announced assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the deceased.
