Police in Dhule have taken eleven individuals into custody after a violent confrontation broke out between two groups at the Guru Nanak Saheb Ji Gurdwara in Nashik on Sunday night. The clash, which involved physical assault and the use of fire extinguishers, stemmed from a dispute over access to the religious premises.
Details of the Violent Incident
The altercation erupted at approximately 9:45 PM on Sunday when one group attempted to enter the gurdwara to make preparations for a religious event scheduled for Monday. According to the official complaint lodged by 32-year-old Satendrapal Ladad, the group was met with immediate resistance from people already inside the complex.
The situation quickly turned violent. The individuals inside the gurdwara allegedly first sprayed fire extinguishers at the arriving group before launching a physical attack using sticks and iron rods. This aggressive response led to a serious breach of peace at the religious site.
Background of the Dispute and Police Action
The complaint sheds light on a deeper conflict within the Sikh community regarding the gurdwara's management. Satendrapal stated that Ranvirsingh Khalsa had proclaimed himself the chief of the gurdwara following the murder of Dheerajsingh Khalsa last month. This self-appointment was reportedly opposed by a significant section of the community.
Furthermore, the complainant alleged that Ranvirsingh had been keeping the gurdwara gates closed, preventing devotees from entering for prayers. Prior to Sunday's major incident, two non-cognisable offences concerning this issue had already been registered at different police stations in Dhule.
On the night of the clash, Satendrapal and around 35 others went to the gurdwara, leading to the alleged assault by Ranvirsingh and his supporters. In response, the police have registered a case against 12 people, including Ranvirsingh Khalsa, under serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Arms Act. The charges include:
- Attempt to murder (Section 109)
- Unlawful assembly (Section 189(2))
- Wrongful restraint (Section 126)
- Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace (Section 352)
Additional Complaint and Police Assurance
In a related development, the Dhule city police registered another case against Ranvirsingh Khalsa based on a complaint from a person from Punjab. The complainant stated that he and his associates had gone to the gurdwara for a religious program at 3:30 PM on Sunday but were threatened with dire consequences by people acting at Ranvirsingh's behest.
Speaking on the police response, Dhule SP Shrikant Dhivare said, "A police team rushed to the spot immediately after the incident broke out. By the morning, 11 people were rounded up." He emphasized that a strict bandobast (security arrangement) has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any further escalation of tension.
The police action underscores their focus on preventing the situation from spiraling into a larger law and order problem in Dhule. The investigation into the violent clash and the underlying management dispute at the gurdwara is ongoing.
