Tensions Grip Pune Village After 2 Groups Clash Over Social Media Post, Fadnavis Assu
Tensions Grip Pune Village After 2 Groups Clash Over Social Media Post, Fadnavis Assures Action
M.U.H
01/08/202579
Tensions gripped Yavat village in Pune district’s Daund tahsil on Friday after two groups clashed over an alleged objectionable social media post, prompting police to fire teargas shells to disperse an angry mob and restore law and order.
Police said a young man from a particular community allegedly uploaded an objectionable post on social media, which angered some persons from another group, news agency PTI reported.
Violence broke out soon after with an irate mob vandalising structures and properties belonging to the opposite community, pelting stones, and also setting a motorcycle ablaze.
“An irate mob vandalised structures and properties belonging to the opposite community, pelted stones and also set a motorcycle ablaze. We had to lob teargas shells to disperse the mob and restore law and order. A sizable number of police personnel have been deployed at the site. The youth who uploaded the post has been detained," the official told the news agency.
Maharashtra CM Assures Action
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the tense situation in the region, saying that he is gathering information about the matter.
He said that, as per the information gathered, a person from outside had posted an objectionable status on social media, which led to tensions.
“I have just gathered information about the matter. According to it, a person from outside had posted an objectionable status, which led to tensions. People came out onto the streets, and in order to control the crowd, some lathi-charge had to be carried out," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Chief Minister further said that the situation is now under control and the region is peaceful.
“The situation is now under control. People from both communities are sitting together, talking, and trying to resolve the tension. At present, the area is entirely peaceful," he added.
Fadnavis further assured that strict action will be taken against the accused.
“Some people deliberately post such statuses to create tension, but strict action will definitely be taken against them. Just because a gathering or event took place, does that give anyone the freedom to post such provocative statuses? No one has the right to make offensive remarks against any religion in this manner. So, to say that the tension arose because of a public gathering is completely incorrect," he added.
He also urged people to maintain peace and not to take the law into their own hands.
“We have only one appeal: everyone should maintain peace, and no one should take the law into their own hands. If anyone does so, the police will take strict action against them," he added.
Deputy CM Reaches Violence-Hit Region
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived at the violence-hit region to meet the affected people.
After assessing the situation, Pawar said that Section 144 has been imposed in the area for 48 hours. He also said that the entire police machinery is monitoring the situation working to maintain peace.
Special Inspector General (IG) for Kolhapur, Sunil Phulari and SP Sandeep Singh Gill also arrived at the spot.
Victim Shares Ordeal
A bakery owner, whose shop was vandalised during the clashes, recounted his ordeal. He said that the people of one community pelted stones, took away the tin sheets, and hurled something inflammable inside the bakery.
“Some of my workers are Muslims and they have come from UP. A social media post surfaced in the morning, it was said that Muslims had posted an objectionable social media post. There is a mosque 150-200 metres from here. They were heading to the mosque. Someone said that this bakery belongs to Muslims. But the bakery belongs to us, and they (workers) are here on rent. Our bakery is completely burned," Swapnil Adinath Kadam, the bakery owner told news agency ANI.
Heavy Police Deployment
After the violence, police presence has been intensified in the area to maintain law and order; tension is still palpable. Authorities have appealed for calm and warned against spreading misinformation or provocative content on social media.
An investigation is underway to ascertain the authenticity of the post and to identify those involved in the violence.
The incident came days after tensions erupted over the desecration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Neelkantheshwar temple in Yavat on July 26.
