Police Arrest Fahim Shamim Khan, Mastermind Behind Nagpur Violence
Nagpur Violence: Police in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, believed to be the mastermind behind the recent violence in the city. He will remain in police custody until March 21st. Khan is the city president of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP). He has previously contested Lok Sabha and Assembly elections against Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur, losing his deposit in both instances.
Fahim Khan's Role in Inciting Violence
Nagpur police's FIR lists Fahim Khan among the accused. He is alleged to have initially filed a complaint against the Bajrang Dal at a police station and then incited the public, leading to widespread tension and subsequent violence.
Nagpur Police Statement
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravindra Singhal stated that some individuals may have directly participated in the violence, while others may have instigated it. The police are investigating whether a single individual or an organization was behind the incident, examining all angles of the case.
He further added, "All the accused named in the FIR are residents of Nagpur. However, some angles suggest the involvement of outsiders. Our investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected soon."
How Did the Nagpur Violence Erupt?
On March 17th, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in Maharashtra protested, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. A rumor then spread in Nagpur about a religiously significant cloth being burned, sparking outrage and protests among locals, which escalated into violence.
Several vehicles were set ablaze, and widespread rioting ensued, injuring several police officers and civilians.
Arrests Made So Far
Nagpur police have registered six FIRs across three different police stations in connection with the violence. Fifty-one people have been arrested so far, and FIRs have been filed against 1250 individuals, with 100-200 already identified.
Investigation into Inflammatory Social Media Posts
Nagpur police's cyber unit is investigating videos and posts circulating on social media, identifying those who used these platforms to incite violence. Furthermore, the police have begun examining 100-150 CCTV footages related to the violence.
