10 injured, vehicles torched as 2 groups clash in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur

Late Friday night, two groups from different organizations attacked one another in the Siddharthnagar district of Kolhapur, resulting in a violent clash. About ten people were hurt as the altercation swiftly turned into a violent altercation that included heavy stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism.

The violence started during a celebration of the Rajebagswar Football Club’s 31st anniversary. Locals grumbled about the nuisance caused by the flex banners, posters, and sound systems that were erected for the event. When local residents, especially members of specific groups, protested the arrangements, tensions increased even more. Soon, heated disagreements escalated into a full-scale altercation.

By ten o’clock at night, both sides were throwing a lot of stones. Eight to nine vehicles, including cars and parked cars, were vandalized, and at least two cars were set on fire. Witnesses at the scene reported that debris was strewn inside the vehicle and that stones had broken the glass. During the confusion, portions of the roadside parking lot suffered total devastation. To keep the situation under control, police hurried to the scene and sent out almost 200 officers. Officials verified that a miscommunication between the two parties caused the altercation.

SP Kolhapur urged people to remain calm, saying: “I request all of them not to be affected by the rumours. The situation is good. The incident happened suddenly. And the leaders of the two groups have also requested that no such message should be spread. I request all of them not to get affected by the rumours.”