Violence broke out in Nagpur’s Hansapuri area as masked individuals went on a rampage, vandalizing shops, setting vehicles on fire, and pelting stones. This came after an earlier clash between two groups in the Mahal area, which had already escalated tensions in the city. An eyewitness described the chaos, saying, "A group arrived with their faces covered. They carried sharp weapons, bottles, and stickers. They started attacking shops, throwing stones, and setting vehicles ablaze." Another resident confirmed, "Around 8 to 10 vehicles were torched during the violence."

Reacting to the unrest, Congress MP Shyamkumar Barve, speaking from Delhi, strongly condemned the violence and urged both communities to remain peaceful. "Nagpur has never witnessed a Hindu-Muslim clash before. This seems like an attempt to distract people from key issues. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace," he said.

Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Singal reassured citizens that the situation was now under control. "A photo was burned, which led to a gathering. We took immediate action and filed an FIR based on the complaints. The incident occurred around 8-8:30 p.m. While there was some arson and stone-pelting, we are still assessing the damage. Police are conducting search operations to identify and arrest those involved," he stated. Authorities have imposed Section 144 to prevent further violence, urging people to avoid stepping out unnecessarily and not to believe in rumors. "Except for this area, the entire city remains peaceful," Dr. Singal added.

The unrest initially began in Mahal, where a dispute between two groups escalated into large-scale rioting. Nearly 1,000 people engaged in stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson, injuring police personnel and damaging homes and vehicles. In response, Nagpur Police have detained over 20 suspects and imposed prohibitory orders across the city. CCTV footage and videos are being analyzed to identify more culprits, and authorities have urged citizens to stay calm and cooperate with law enforcement.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.