Devendra Fadnavis gives ‘bulldozer’ action warning, vows to recover damage cost from rioters

Fadnavis stated that property would be confiscated if the payment was not made. He also cautioned about “bulldozer” measures.

“Whatever damage has happened will be recovered from the rioters. If they do not pay the money, then their property will be sold for the recovery. Wherever required, bulldozers will also be used,” Fadnavis was quoted

Violence erupted in central Nagpur on March 17 due to rumors that a “chadar” with sacred writings was set ablaze during demonstrations led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which is calling for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

 Various police officers, including three deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), were injured, and several vehicles and residences were harmed in the unrest. A 40-year-old man passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital on Saturday.

Fadnavis on Saturday stated that 104 individuals have been detained for rioting identified through CCTV footage. He mentioned that additional individuals will be apprehended.

“Police action will be taken against those who are involved in the riots or are helping the rioters,” Fadnavis was quoted. “Those who spread rumours on social media will also be made co-accused. 68 social media posts have been identified and deleted so far…”

The chief minister also said that reports of molestation of female constables during the riots are not true. “Stones were hurled on female police constables, reports of molestation not true,” Fadnavis said,.

He added that the incident cannot be termed “intelligence failure”, but the intelligence (gathering) could have been better.

Fadnavis also said that no foreign hand or Bangladeshi link has surfaced. “There is no political angle to the violence,” he said.