The government has enforced a curfew in a number of locations in accordance with Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following violent demonstrations against the relocation of the burial of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The limitations will be in effect until further notice, according to the formal order issued by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal.
The curfew has been imposed within the police station limits of Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Shantinagar, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
The official order states that on March 17, more than 200 members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad assembled next to the Shivaji Maharaj monument in Mahal and began to demonstrate, calling for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s burial.
According to reports, between 80 and 100 people gathered in Bhaldarpura at around 7:30 p.m., which increased tension and caused disruptions in the public order. The gathering, according to the police, created public discomfort and made it difficult for people to move about on the highways. To prevent other incidents and maintain peace, the police implemented a “communication ban (curfew)” in the affected regions by Section 163.
The decree further said that it “will not apply to government/administrative officers/employees, students appearing for essential services, persons related to the fire brigade and various departments, and police officers/employees on duty.”
In Nagpur’s Hansapuri neighbourhood, violence erupted as unknown people flung stones, burnt cars, and destroyed stores. An earlier fight between two groups in the Mahal neighbourhood had heightened emotions in the city, and this disturbance came after that.
“A team arrived here with their faces covered by scarves,” said a Hansapuri eyewitness, describing the chaos brought on by a masked bunch. They carried bottles, stickers, and sharp weapons. They started the commotion, flung stones, damaged stores, and set cars on fire.
Ravinder Singal, the commissioner of Nagpur Police, had earlier said that everything was under control.
The current state of affairs is tranquil. People gathered after a picture was set on fire. We asked them to leave, and we even did something about it. They had even visited me at my office. They were informed that they would face consequences when a formal complaint was filed against them using the identities they provided, he added.
He went on to describe the unrest’s chronology. “This event happened between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Not many cars have been set on fire. We’re evaluating the harm. There have been stone-throwing incidents and two car fires.
Police are identifying and apprehending persons participating in combing operations. Section 144 has been enforced, and everyone has been told not to go outside needlessly or break the law. You should not trust gossip. “The entire city is peaceful except for this area,” he said.
