Nagpur: Curfew Fully Lifted Six Days After Violence; Over 100 Arrested

Curfew Details

The Nagpur police initially imposed the curfew in multiple police station areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar. As the situation was brought under control, the curfew was lifted in phases, starting with Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar on March 20, followed by Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Lakadganj, Sakkardara, and Imambada on March 22.On Sunday, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal ordered the curfew to be lifted in the remaining areas of Kotwali, Tehsil, Ganeshpeth, and Yashodhara Nagar starting at 3 PM. However, police patrolling will continue in sensitive areas, alongside local police deployments.

Arrests and Injuries

In connection with the violence, over 100 individuals have been arrested. Thirty-three police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, sustained injuries during the clashes. The chargesheet indicates that the mob also attempted to molest a female police officer. A leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP) and six others were apprehended on Saturday, bringing the total number of arrests to 112. Hamid Engineer, executive president of MDP, and Mohammad Shahzad Khan have been booked for sedition.

Government Response

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emphasized that strict action will be taken against those who attacked police officers during the unrest. He stated that the government would recover the costs of property damaged during the Nagpur violence from the rioters and will roll out bulldozers “if necessary.”Fadnavis addressed the media, asserting, “The cost of properties damaged during Nagpur violence will be recovered from rioters, and failure to pay will result in the seizure and sale of their properties to cover losses. My government will not rest until those responsible for attacking the police are found and dealt with sternly.”