Riots in Akola during bandh

Violence erupted in Akola city on Monday during a bandh, organised by a minority community in protest against alleged uploading a tampered religious place in a facebook by a Karanja boy of neighbouring Washim district.

Violence erupted in Akola city on Monday during a bandh, organised by a minority community in protest against alleged uploading a tampered religious place in a facebook by a Karanja boy of neighbouring Washim district.

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Tension mounted in the market area of the city when a strong mob set several two-wheelers and a couple of cars afire. They also damaged few public properties. The protestors were demanding stern action against those concerned for the uploading the tampered religious place in the facebook.

Arson and vandalism were also witnessed at Karanja over the issue last week.

According to reports reaching Nagpur on Monday evening, when some businessmen in the city tried to defy the bandh call, a section of protestors pelted stones on their shops and damaged several establishments.

Stray incidences of stone pelting and damage to public property in city areas, like Sindhi camp, Gandhi Road, Lakadganj area and PS Market were witnessed. Three state run road transport buses were also damaged.

The Akola police control room informed that 15 persons have been arrested in this connection. A heavy police bandobast was made in the area to maintain the law and order situation in the city.