Nagpur Violence: Police Arrest Key Accused, 60 Others in Connection with Riots

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the Nagpur violence a "premeditated conspiracy," police arrested a key accused, Faheem Khan, and 60 others in connection with the riots. Khan, a local politician from the Minority Democratic Party, has been remanded in custody till Friday. The violence, which broke out on Monday evening, was sparked by demands to relocate the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb out of the state. The riots resulted in 38 injuries, including 33 police officers, and widespread damage to property.

Police have registered six cases and filed complaints against 1,200 people, of whom less than 200 have been named so far. The rest are being tracked down. A curfew imposed on Tuesday remains in force within the limits of 10 city police stations. The opposition has criticized the BJP-led government, demanding the Chief Minister's resignation. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray questioned the need for violence, saying Aurangzeb has been dead for 318 years and is buried in a small, unmarked corner of the state.