Police have arrested nine people for their involvement in violence and stone-pelting on a Ram Navami procession at Khambat in Gujarat’s Anand district, while Section 144 has been imposed in Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district following a similar incident there. Those arrested include some local maulvis (Muslim clerics).
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi called a meeting of top police officials in Gandhinagar late Sunday night over these incidents and gave necessary orders. One person, 60-year-old Kanaiyalal Rana, was killed in the stone-pelting in Khambhat town on Sunday. The number of others injured, if any, is not known so far, officials said.
“The situation in Khambhat town is under control. We have already arrested nine suspects and started further investigation,” Anand’s Superintendent of Police Ajit Rajian said.
Police had to fire tear gas shells to control the stone-pelting mobs who also damaged shops and vehicles at both places. Similar attacks on Ram Navami processions took place in various states.
