Nagpur witnessed large-scale communal violence on Monday night (17 March 2025), leading to injuries, arson, and a significant law enforcement crackdown. The unrest, which erupted just 2 km from the RSS headquarters, left 34 police personnel, including two IPS officers and two firemen, injured. In response, Nagpur Police arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a local leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), identifying him as the alleged mastermind behind the violence.
Khan’s Arrest and Police Investigation
Khan, the city president of the MDP and a resident of Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar, was taken into custody on Wednesday, hours after being named in an FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station. Police officials cited video evidence showing him allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech just before the clashes broke out. The 38-year-old has been remanded to police custody until 21 March 2025.
A former Lok Sabha candidate from the Nagpur constituency, Khan contested against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in the 2024 general elections but lost by over 6.5 lakh votes. His alleged role in inciting violence has drawn strong reactions from authorities, with police stating that his speech directly escalated tensions.
The Violence And Its Aftermath
The unrest began amid protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Rumors of a holy book’s desecration during a right-wing demonstration further fueled tensions. Mobs engaged in heavy stone-pelting, torched two JCB machines and 40 vehicles, vandalized police vans, and clashed with security forces at Chitnis Park Chowk. Riot-control police, including anti-riot commandos, faced severe attacks, prompting authorities to impose curfews in several areas under Section 163.
By Tuesday, 50 rioters were arrested, and 19 accused were sent to police custody on Wednesday. The Union Home Ministry has sought a report on the violence, which comes weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city. Authorities suspect that misinformation spread through social media played a significant role in mobilizing crowds.
Heavy Security Deployment
Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed across central Nagpur, covering sensitive areas like Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura. Key roads, including Fawwara Chowk, Gandhi Putla Chowk, and Badkas Chowk, have been sealed off. Security forces are using riot-control vehicles, water cannons, and tear gas units to maintain order. Intelligence agencies and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) are investigating potential security threats linked to the unrest.
Despite the violent clashes, a senior police official stated that the law-and-order situation is now under control, though curfews remain in place in various sensitive areas. The police continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that further escalations are prevented.
(With inputs from India Today)
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