Gujarat: 1 Dead, Cops Injured As Mob Protests Anti-Encroachment Drive In Junagadh

One person was killed and four policemen were injured in Gujarat's Junagadh after clashes broke out over a demolition notice for an illegal dargah.

The violence broke out after the Junagadh Municipal Corporation issued a notice to a mosque near Majewadi Gate to present documents within 5 days. Nearly 300 people gathered around the dargah on Friday evening, pelted stones at the police officials, vandalised a police post and also set police vehicles on fire.

What led to violence in Junagadh?

The ruckus ensued when the officials of Junagadh Municipal Corporation issued a demolition notice which said that the religious structure had been built illegally.This enraged some people and a mob gathered near the dargah and pelted stones at the officers.

As the situation turned violent, large troops of police officials were rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.

"A mosque near Majewadi Gate was given notice by the Junagadh Municipal Corporation to present the documents within 5 days. Around 500-600 people had gathered there yesterday. The police were convincing them not to block the road. Stones were pelted at around 10.15 pm and people came to attack the police," said Ravi Teja Vasamsetty, SP Junagadh.

"Lathicharge was done by police to disperse the crowd. Police personnel got injured in this incident. 174 people have been rounded up. A civilian has died prima facie due to stone pelting but it will be clear after the postmortem report. Further investigation is underway," he added.