The police lathi-charged the rioters.
A ruckus broke out during the Ganpati visaran in Bhiwandi area of Thane in Maharashtra. Anarchists pelted stones at the dissolution procession. Two parties came face to face on this matter. The situation became tense. People going for Ganesha Visharan created a ruckus. People from the other side also gathered. Seeing the situation becoming tense, the police chased the rioters with baton charges.
On Tuesday night in Bhiwandi of Thane district, Ganpati Visaran was taking place with much fanfare. Around 12 pm, Bappa’s idol was being taken from Ghughat town to Nadinaka Kamwari river for immersion. The procession was passing through Vanazarpatti Naka. When the procession reached the Hindustani Masjid, a brawl broke out with people from other communities. It is alleged that some mischievous boys from another party pelted stones at the procession. It is alleged that some stones fell on the Ganesha idol due to which the idol broke. On which the people of the congregation created an uproar accusing them of breaking the idol.
The youth of the opposite party was caught and beaten up by the mob.
An angry mob seized a youth of the opposite party and beat him up badly. The police reached there and rescued the youth from the crowd. A large number of police reached the spot. On the other hand, the congregation demanded the arrest of the stone pelting boys, alleging that the idol had been broken. On hearing about the incident, people from some other sections gathered there and started raising slogans. People started gathering from the other side as well. In no time, the crowd of people from both the communities increased and a tense atmosphere was created.
Riot started, police lathi-charged
Seeing the situation worsening, police including DCP and ACP reached the spot in large numbers. Police officers tried to pacify the crowd, but the mob turned furious, demanding the arrest of the stone-pelting accused. He refused to dissolve Ganapati. Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out between the police and the protesting crowd. Seeing the situation deteriorating, the police resorted to lathi-charge, due to which many people were injured. The mob also attacked the police, injuring several policemen.
BJP MLA Mahesh Chowghule reached there with his supporters as soon as he got the information about the incident. He started demanding action against the accused at Shivaji Chowk. Joint Commissioner Dyaneshwar Chavan said that some people have been detained. After registering the case, investigation is being done and strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty.
