MP: Curfew in Khargone after violence on Ram Navami
Highlight
- Curfew imposed in entire Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh
- Stones were pelted on Ram Navami procession a day earlier
- The procession was supposed to circumnavigate Khargone city, but it was abandoned midway after violence.
Curfew was imposed in the entire Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh after some vehicles and houses were torched and pelted with stones on Ram Navami processions, a senior official said on Monday. The incident happened on Sunday when the devotees were celebrating Ram Navami. The police had to use tear gas shells to control the situation. Khargone Collector Anugrah P said that after the incident, curfew was imposed in the entire Khargone city on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
Citizens have been asked to step out of the house only for medical emergencies, he said, adding that the situation was under control. The collector also said that strict action would be taken against those sharing objectionable messages and videos of the Khargone incident on social media. The district administration tweeted that permission can be obtained from SDM office, Tehsil office and Kotwali police station for any important work except medical emergency. Earlier, on Sunday, authorities had imposed curfew in three areas here and CrPC Section 144 (prohibits assembly of four or more people) in the entire city following the violence.
An official said earlier that Khargone Superintendent of Police Siddharth Choudhary and two other police personnel were injured along with some people in stone-pelting. Meanwhile, state Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, who is also in charge of Khargone district, said in a tweet that he has directed the officials to take strict action against the rioters.
Divisional Commissioner Pawan Sharma and DIG Nimar Range Tilak Singh also reached Khargone to take stock of the situation. Khargone Additional Collector Sumer Singh Mujalde said that when the Ram Navami procession started from Talab Chowk area near the district headquarters, the crowd was pelted with stones, following which the police had to use tear gas shells to control the situation. He said the procession was supposed to circle Khargone town, but it was abandoned midway after violence.
Read also | Attacks on Ram Navami processions in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Bengal; Vehicles set on fire, shops damaged