Khandwa Sees Night of Unrest as Social Media Post Sparks Violent Protests
Tension flared in Khandwa on Thursday night after a controversial social media post targeting a religious cleric ignited widespread protests outside the Moghat Road police station. The situation rapidly escalated as members of the Muslim community gathered in significant numbers, demanding immediate action against the individual accused of making the objectionable remarks.
Police Response and Escalation of Violence
Khandwa DIG Siddharth Bahuguna addressed the incident, stating, "A condemnable post about a religious cleric was made on social media which triggered large-scale protest outside Moghat police station on Thursday night. Moghat police had already registered a case against the accused and arrested him but the protestors kept raising slogans and agitating." Officers on the scene attempted to pacify the crowd by assuring them that legal proceedings had been initiated regarding the inflammatory post.
However, the confrontation turned violent when some protesters allegedly pushed police officers and grabbed the collar of Moghat Road police station in-charge Dhiresh Dharwal. As chaos ensued, police were compelled to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the assembly and restore public order.
Assault on Woman Amidst the Chaos
Amid the turmoil, a young woman present in the crowd was reportedly assaulted by several youths. Police indicated that eight to ten men misbehaved with her, slapping her repeatedly and causing injuries to her head and facial swelling. "They tried to stop the woman and assaulted her. On her complaint, a case was registered against over a dozen men," DIG Bahuguna confirmed. This incident added a severe dimension to the already volatile situation.
Heightened Security Measures and Legal Actions
Senior police officials, including CSP Abhinav Barange, rushed to the location upon receiving reports of the disturbance. Additional forces were deployed from the control room and police lines to prevent further escalation. Police also conducted precautionary patrolling in the area to maintain vigilance.
Several individuals were detained during the operation, with authorities verifying the identities of those involved in the unrest. DIG Bahuguna elaborated, "A case of rioting and deterring public servant from discharge of his duties and violence against woman has been registered against named accused." He emphasized that strict legal action will be pursued against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order.
Appeal for Calm and Caution Against Rumors
Authorities have issued a public appeal, urging residents to disregard rumors and avoid spreading provocative content. They assured that stringent measures will be taken against those responsible for inciting public disorder or disseminating inflammatory material. The police remain on high alert to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in Khandwa.
