Thane riot was pre-planned, says VHP

VHP state president says that communal clash in Thane was a pre-planned incident in which Hindu activists were targeted and police failed to tackle the situation.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Wednesday said that the communal clash, which occurred on Monday in Thane, was pre-planned and the organisation was no way involved in it.

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"It was a pre-planned incident in which Hindu activists were targeted and police failed to tackle the situation," VHP state president Venkatesh Apdeo told reporters in Mumbai.

Apdeo criticised NCP leader Jitendra Avad and Mumbai Congress president Kripashankar Singh for holding Bajrang Dal responsible for the riot.

"Bajarang Dal's name was unnecessarily dragged into the issue even though it was not involved in the riot. Infact, our activists helped police to control the situation and protect Hindu families from riot," Apdeo said.

Despite this, political leaders are trying to support Muslim fundamentalists, he added.

Thane district chief of VHP Sudhir Ranade challenged the police to prove the involvement of Bajrang Dal in the riot.

"Hindus were not holding weapons, they were assaulted by local Muslims and their houses were burnt," he said.

The president of puja mandal, who was also present on the occasion, said the local Muslims were responsible for the riot.

One person was killed and more than 50 were injured in communal clashes which broke out at Rabodi over setting up of a 'pandal' for the Navaratri festival on Monday night.