Police action averts communal flare-up in Shajapur town

Timely action by police averted tension in Shajapur town. The issue started after people belonging to minority community came on the road protesting demolition of an old religious structure.

Timely action by police on Tuesday averted tension in Shajapur town. The issue started after people belonging to minority community came on the road protesting demolition of an old religious structure.

As soon as the news spread in the town about one JCB demolishing an old religious structure near Girasiya Ghat situated Nilkanteshwar Mahadev temple, scores of people came on the road and started protesting demolition work.

Large number of locals gathered at the site. Before situation could go out of control, police force from Shajapur police station reached the spot and dispersed the mob.

However, the mob soon re-assembled and started hurling stones on policemen and also vandalised the vehicles parked outside shops and houses. Sensing trouble, a large number of shop owners shut down their shops.

District collector Pramod Gupta, superintendent of police Avinash Sharma, sub-divisional magistrate Laxmi Gamad and tehsildar Prakash Kasbe rushed to the spot and took stock of situation. Police also cane charged protesters and fired tear gas shells.

Police are now investigating the matter and collecting information about the structure which was demolished and will take relevant action against concerned persons only after completion of investigation.