Gujarat: Violence over Attempt to Raze Dargah, 1 Dead, 174 Held, Policemen Injured

Gandhinagar: One person allegedly died during stone pelting and several policemen were injured in violence that erupted when authorities planned to demolish an unauthorized dargah in Gujarat’s Junagadh on Friday night. The angry mob hurled stones and burnt down a vehicle to oppose the civic body’s efforts to clear “encroachment” by the dargah.

Police had to lob tear gas shells and lathi-charged to control the situation.

According to police sources, around 174 people were taken into custody to pacify the situation.

Police suspect that the person, who died during this violence, was hit by a stone thrown by the mob.

The Junagadh Municipal Corporation had issued a notice to a mosque near Majevadi Darwaja to produce documents regarding the ownership of land on which it was erected.

An angry mob of over 500 people gathered up near the dargah to protest on Friday night. They also blocked the road.

They also pelted stones at the police, shouted slogans and tried to attack the cops at around 10.15 pm.

Police lobbed tear gas shells and baton-charged to disperse the unruly crowd.

Junagadh DSP, three sub-inspectors and two other police personnel were injured. The mob also set a vehicle on fire.

Armed police personnel are deployed in the area to avoid any further escalation of tension.