Representative Image BHOPAL: More than 40 people were detained in a major response to the stone-pelting incident at the city Kotwali police station in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh . Chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav had ordered strong action to ensure law and order situation in the region. On Thursday, the police registered FIRs against 46 people and 150 unidentified people involved in the violent clash .
Additionally, authorities also initiated demolition of the luxurious residence of Haji Shahzad Ali, a former congress district vice president, who is accused of allegedly conspiring the violence. The demolition is expected to take two to three days. On Wednesday, a group of people gathered at the city Kotwali police station to submit a memorandum regarding objectionable comments.
What began as a peaceful protest turned into violence when the crowd began pelting stones at the police. The altercation resulted in injuries to three officers, including the TI , who is in critical condition and receiving treatment in the ICU. Police said the crowd had started gathering outside the police station around 5 pm, initially to lodge a complaint.
More people arrived later, some armed with weapons and stones. The police responded by closing the main gate to prevent entry. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the crowd grew more agitated and began throwing stones at the police.
TI Arvind Kunjar, along with other officers, attempted to manage the situation by speaking with the crowd. However, as stones were thrown, officers climbed the boundary wall to seek refuge inside the police station. The violence intensified, leading to injuries from both stones and a knife attack on the TI.
Following the incident, the area was cordoned off and converted into a high-security zone. Additional police forces were deployed from Tikamgarh, Panna, and neighbouring districts. Senior officers arrived at the scene to oversee operations and ensure the situation was brought under control.
In a coordinated operation, police, revenue staff, municipal workers, and medical teams arrived at Haji Shahzad Ali’s residence on Thursday morning. The operation, which began around 11.30am, involved the use of bulldozers, Poklaines, and a JCB to dismantle parts of the house.
The property, spanning approximately 6,000 square feet, has been partially demolished. The outer sections have been taken down, with ongoing work to complete the demolition. The crowd, initially peaceful, turned violent after demanding an FIR for comments made against the religion.
DIG Lalit Shakyavar told TOI that a crowd of 100 people had gathered to protest. The situation turned violent with stone-pelting lasting about 10 minutes. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd, and the police have vowed to take the strictest action against those responsible for the violence.
“We are trying to identify each and everyone involved in the incident based on the CCTV footage. Storing action would be taken,” said the officer. Officials also found that there were young boys in the crowd who started pelting stones.
Action will also be taken under the new laws against whosoever is found involved in inciting the mob and bringing children to the spot, said the DIG adding that the situation is completely under control..
