Probe Intensifies In Nagpur Violence: CCTV Footages Unmask Suspects, Pictures Released

Nagpur: The Nagpur Police on Friday have released the pictures of the suspects involved in the clashes that broke out in the city earlier this week. Police on Thursday also arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a local leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) who has been accused as the mastermind who instigated the violence. 

Tension gripped Nagpur on Monday night after violence erupted in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas after a rumour was spread that a religious book was burnt during protests demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

After Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a stern warning against those responsible for the violence, Nagpur police launched an intensified investigation to identify the individuals who are suspected to have played a role in instigating the violence. CM Fadnavis has warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt peace.  

The images of the suspects which are captured at Shivaji Chowk showed a few engaged in conversations on their phones, some standing in small groups, while others are seen riding bikes and scooters near the area just before the incident unfolded. Many of the suspects can be seen with cloths tied around their faces.

Violence that erupted near RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Monday was because of rumour that spread over a peaceful protest conducted by Bajrang Dal against Aurangzeb’s tomb. The protest was being held near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area. According to local reports, the situation escalated over rumours that a copy of the Quran was burnt during the protest. In reality, images of Aurangzeb were burned. Soon, the members of the pro-Aurgangzeb group started gathering in large numbers in various parts of the city, including Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park. They pelted stones, attacked the police, and burnt many vehicles. More than 30 police officials suffered injuries. The cops, in response, fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the gathering crowds.

Calling the clashes in Nagpur ‘pre-planned’, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the violence was fueled by the release of ‘Chhaava’, a historical film starring Vicky Kaushal that was released recently. He called it a ‘premediated conspiracy’. According to police officials, over 20 suspects have already been taken into custody and are being interrogated. The police are also analysing more CCTV footages to identify all the individuals involved in the violence.

Republic on Tuesday accessed nine CCTV clips that has clear hints that Nagpur violence could be a pre-planned agenda. The footages show mobs pelting stones, setting vehicles on fire and taking out petrol from bikes parked on the roads. The visuals exposed that the violent activities were carried out to instigate a large-scale vandalism. The survellience camera visuals also revelaed how the mobs also made an attempt to destroy the evidences.