Held after violence at Nanded Gurdwara after being denied the permission of Hola Mohalla on 17

Police have arrested 17 people who were part of a large crowd resorting to violence after being denied permission to take out the annual Hola Mohalla procession due to Kovid-19 restrictions. The Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla every year at the time of Holi and showcase their martial skills during the festival. On Monday, several hundred Sikhs gathered at the gurdwara for Hola Mohalla despite being denied permission by the police. At around 4 pm, when the police tried to disperse the crowd to maintain social distance, the mob became violent and attacked them. A video of the incident went viral on social media where a large crowd outside the gurdwara can be seen kicking police-barricades and attacking a handful of duty personnel.

The crowd was armed with sticks and swords. Four policemen have suffered injuries in the incident, but all of them are out of danger, A senior Maharashtra police officer confirmed. Rajneesh Seth, Maharashtra DGP, told The Indian Express, “The situation is completely under control since yesterday (Monday). We have arrested 17 people for the violence. Four policemen were injured in the incident but are out of danger. An FIR has been registered under IPC sections for attempt to murder, causing serious injury and rioting.

Nanded is an important Sikh pilgrimage center as it is home to the sacred temple, Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abhachal Nagar Sahib. It was here that the 10th and last Sikh Guru, Guru Govind Singh (1666–1708) anointed the holy book Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of Sikhism and spent the last 14 months of his life. “The pandemic public procession was not allowed due to the epidemic.

The Gurdwara Committee was informed and they assured us that they would follow our instructions and organize events inside the Gurdwara campus. “However, when the Nishan Sahib (a triangular saffron-colored flag) was brought to the gate around 4 pm, many participants started arguing and more than 300 youth created a ruckus outside the gate, broke barricades and Started attacking the policeman, ”he said. , Six police vehicles were also damaged by the mob. Tamboli stated that 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (injure with dangerous weapons), 188 (disregard of public servant’s order) against at least 200 people, An FIR will be lodged under 269 (likely to spread infection by negligence) the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and for rioting. “Those involved in the violence will be arrested,” he said. (With PTI inputs).