13 Arrested After Two Groups Clash Near Mumbai During Ram Mandir Rally

At least 13 people have been arrested for an alleged assault on a group of persons taking out a vehicle rally in the Mira Bhayander area adjoining Mumbai on the eve of the Ram Temple idol consecration in Ayodhya, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday.

The Deputy CM asserted there would be “zero tolerance” against anyone who tried to disturb the law and order situation in the state.

“Police were instructed to take strictest action against the culprits. 13 have been arrested so far & detailed analysis of CCTV footage is underway to identify & arrest others involved too. There will be zero tolerance against anyone who tries to take the law in their own hands and attempts to disturb the law & order situation in Maharashtra”, Fadnavis said in a post on X.

The clash between members of two communities took place during a vehicle rally in the Naya Nagar area at around 10:30 pm on Sunday in which several people in three cars and as many motorcycles were shouting slogans praising Lord Ram.

However, when some of them burst firecrackers, a group of people came out of their houses and thrashed those taking part in the rally with sticks and also attacked their vehicles, a police official said.

“The police intervened quickly and the attackers were dispersed. The area saw heavy police deployment to maintain law and order and to prevent any further flare-ups. A company of the Riot Control Police (RCP) is also at the site,” the official said.

An FIR was registered at Naya Nagar police against the attackers under Indian Penal Code section 307 (attempt to murder) and other offences, he added.

A video of the incident has also gone viral on social media.

Meanwhile, MLA Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena met Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV) police commissioner Madhukar Pandey on Monday and sought the setting up of a special investigation team (SIT).

Sarnaik said the Shiv Sena would hold a protest on January 25 if those involved in the attack on the processionists are not arrested immediately.

Stone Pelting on Procession in Thane Hours After Group Clash

A procession taken out in Thane district on the occasion of the Ram temple idol consecration in Ayodhya was pelted with stones by miscreants on Monday evening, police officials said, in the second incident of violence in the district in less than 24 hours.

An unspecified number of processionists and policemen providing security to the march were injured in the stone attack in the Mira Road area, they said.

An official at the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police said the stone pelting was reported from Naya Nagar police station limits, where the group clash took place during a rally comprising cars and other vehicles and taken out on the eve of the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The trigger for the stone pelting incident was not yet known, he said, adding further details were awaited.

The police were maintaining a strict vigil after Sunday’s clash in the Naya Nagar area, located on Mumbai’s outskirts, said the official.