22/08/2024
Attack on police station in M.P.: house of main accused razed in Chhatarpur; 20 arrested
The main accused whose house was razed down with a bulldozer was identified as Haji Shehzad Ali, a local Muslim leader, who led the protests against alleged derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammad by a religious leader
The Chhatarpur District Administration in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday demolished the house of a prime accused along with some others, a day after four police personnel were injured in a mob attack at a police station as protesters turned violent while demanding action against a religious leader for allegedly using derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad in Maharashtra’s Nashik.
The police also raided more than 100 locations through the day and detained over 50 suspects for questioning of which around 20 were arrested, Superintendent of Police (SP), City, told.
He said that the accused whose house was brought down with a bulldozer was identified as Haji Shehzad Ali, a local Muslim leader, who had led the protests and instigated the mob.
Apart from Mr. Ali’s bungalow, his brother and a local councillor Azad Ali’s as well as some more accused’s properties were also demolished on Thursday evening.
Mr. Ali, who is a former district Congress vice-president, is currently absconding and the police is working to find him.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, more than 500 protesters gathered outside Kotwali police station, demanding an FIR to be lodged against Ramgiri Maharaj, a religious leader, for allegedly using derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad and Islam during an event in Maharashtra’s Nashik last week. The protesters, however, turned violent after they were barred from entering the station.
Chhatarpur SP Agam Jain, in a Wednesday night video message, said: “Members of a particular community came to give a memorandum at Kotwali police station. They were assured the time but some miscreants turned to stone pelting, which was brought under control by the police.”
Kotwali station in-charge Arvind Kunjur and three other personnel had suffered injuries in the attack and were admitted to the district hospital.
Over 150 booked under serious charges
After the incident, the police also booked more than 150 people. The FIR was registered under many serious charges, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 109, 196, 197(1), 299, among others.
