Night of Terror: 31 Police Injured as Violence Erupts Over Disputed Shrine

Nashik (The Uttam Hindu): On Tuesday night, police were pelted with stones in the Kathe Galli area of Nashik. The incident occurred during a power outage in the area, and taking advantage of the darkness, a mob suddenly started throwing stones at the police, municipal workers, and vehicles parked nearby. In this violent incident, 31 police personnel were injured, and five vehicles were damaged.

The unrest is believed to have been sparked by a rumor related to a religious site. To bring the situation under control, the police had to take immediate action. Around 500 police personnel were deployed at the scene during the night to prevent further escalation. It is reported that around 400 to 500 people were present during the chaos. To avoid any untoward incidents, police also changed traffic routes in the area. Administrative and police officials monitored the situation closely, and patrolling continued throughout the night.

Sources revealed that the root of the issue is a disputed religious site, which had been a point of tension for the past few days. On April 1, the municipality issued a notice following a court order regarding an unauthorized construction. The notice stated that if the structure was not removed voluntarily, the administration would take appropriate action. Despite the warning, the religious structure was not removed, which led to growing resentment among local residents and the spread of various rumors.

Officials stated that some religious structures in the area were built without proper permission, and notices had been issued for their removal, which ultimately led to the incident. All such unauthorized religious structures are expected to be removed within the next two days. Nashik Police said they are taking steps to maintain peace in the area, and both police and administrative teams remain present on-site, closely monitoring the situation.