Even as the Gandhinagar Police has been on high alert in Bahiyal village of Dahegam since September 24 when communal violence broke out between two communities allegedly over whatsapp statuses, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi on Friday night performed aarti at a garba venue in the village.
The Gandhinagar Police has arrested 61 people and is trying to apprehend others involved in the stone-pelting and arson between the two communities. More than 200 police personnel and two companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are stationed in the village.
In a post on X, the minister, posting a video of his visit to Bahiyal, which is located about 38 km from the state capital, said, “In Bahiyal, Gandhinagar, anti-social elements attempted to disrupt peace by pelting stones during garba at Mataji Chowk. The Gandhinagar police immediately took action and apprehended the perpetrators.”
“Today, by performing the aarti of Maa Ambe at the same Garba in this village, I assured my mothers, sisters, and citizens that they could once again celebrate the festival of devotion and faith without fear. These days are dedicated to the devotion and worship of Shakti,” Sanghavi added.
On Friday, the Dahegam Police had carried out reconstruction panchnama by taking accused persons to the site of the violence. ASP Ayush Jain said that the situation is under control.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Gandhinagar SP Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said on Friday night, “Things are under control in Bahiyal and we have arrested 61 people, and they have been sent to police custody.”
When asked if the instigators had been identified, SP Vasamsetty said, “We are trying to find those who incited the violence. We are checking CCTV footage from shops. We are also questioning people.”
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.
