A stone-pelting incident was reported late at night outside a Ganesh idol pandal in Shahzadi Mandi under the Sadar police station area of Agra following a dispute between two groups of youths. The sudden commotion and exchange of bricks and stones near the Ganesh pandal triggered panic among devotees present at the site. Police reached the spot after receiving information and brought the situation under control. Two youths have been detained, while efforts are underway to identify others involved in the incident.
A Ganesh idol pandal has been set up in the Shahzadi Mandi area, where large numbers of people have been visiting daily for prayers. On Sunday night, bhajan and kirtan were being held at the pandal and devotees were present. During this time, a dispute began outside the pandal between two groups of youths over an issue. The argument escalated into a physical altercation, following which bricks and stones were thrown from both sides.
According to information emerging at the local level, the dispute is reportedly linked to a youth being seen with a girl and subsequently being slapped. It is alleged that the youth then called several of his friends to the spot, following which the confrontation between the two sides escalated. There were also reports that around 25 youths had reached the spot. However, the number and the complete background of the dispute have not yet been independently confirmed by the police and will become clear only after the investigation.
As the dispute escalated, the youths began fighting. Within a short time, the situation deteriorated to the point where stones were being pelted around the pandal. The sudden throwing of bricks and stones created a stampede-like situation among devotees sitting there. People began moving to safer locations. Those present at the pandal immediately informed the police, after which personnel from Sadar police station reached the spot.
Following the incident, information also spread that the Ganesh idol had been damaged during the stone-pelting. This raised concerns of tension in the area, prompting the immediate deployment of police personnel. However, Agra DCP City Sayyed Ali Abbas said the report that the Ganesh idol had been damaged turned out to be a rumour. Police are investigating the entire incident and have said action will be taken based on the identification of those involved in the stone-pelting.
The arrival of the police brought the situation under control. After the stone-pelting, local people caught two youths who were allegedly trying to flee and later handed them over to the police. They are being questioned. Police are trying to determine what triggered the dispute, how many youths were present at the spot and who was involved in the stone-pelting.
After the incident, a large number of local residents also reached the Saudagar Line police outpost. They provided the police with information about the incident. A video of the entire incident has also reportedly circulated on social media. Police are working to identify other youths involved on the basis of video footage and information obtained from people present at the spot.
The police investigation is also examining whether the dispute occurred suddenly or whether there had been some earlier disagreement between the two sides. If other people involved in the stone-pelting or physical altercation are identified in the video footage, legal action may also be taken against them. For now, two youths have been detained and are being questioned.
Local residents were also seen expressing anger over the incident near the Ganesh pandal. A religious programme was underway at the time and a large number of people were present. The fight and stone-pelting among youths outside the pandal created fear among devotees. Police are seeking to prevent a recurrence of such an incident and maintain security around the pandal.
According to local residents, devotees have been continuously visiting the pandal during Ganeshotsav. Bhajan, kirtan and other religious programmes continue until late at night. Any dispute outside the pandal can therefore affect a large number of people. Police have said they are monitoring the situation and will identify those responsible and take action.
The claims concerning the dispute involving the youth and girl and the alleged summoning of 25 friends are currently being treated only as allegations or information emerging at the local level. The available police report records the incident as a dispute between two groups of youths followed by stone-pelting. The actual reason for the dispute, the number of people involved and the role of each individual will become clear only after the police investigation is completed.
Police have so far detained two youths and efforts to identify other accused persons are continuing. Police have said that those involved in the incident will be identified and action will be taken against them. At the same time, the police have described the information about damage to the Ganesh idol as a rumour, and there is currently no confirmation that the idol was damaged.
The incident involved a dispute and stone-pelting outside a religious pandal while devotees were present. Police are now seeking to identify all those involved and determine who initiated the stone-pelting. Video footage and statements from eyewitnesses may form part of the investigation. The actual reason for the dispute and the number of people against whom action will be taken will be established after the investigation.
