Late-Night Demolition: Dargah near Junagadh Majewadi Gate & Jalaram Temple near Pond Gate by Manpa
On June 16th, stones were pelted at the police near Majewadi Gate in Junagadh concerning a Dargah situated nearby. Today, amidst tight police security, the demolition of the Dargah and the Jalaram Temple near Lake Door is underway overnight. The Junagadh Municipal Corporation had initiated the demolition of religious sites in the city during the wee hours of the morning.
Under police supervision, the Dargah near Majewadi Gate and the Jalaram Temple near the lake gate faced demolition. The Municipal Corporation took the initiative to remove unauthorized constructions on religious sites under strict police vigilance.
Police Mobilization Amidst Demolition Work
Under the swift deployment of Junagadh’s Superintendent of Police (SP), all police personnel across the district were immediately summoned to the Junagadh headquarters for urgent orders regarding the ongoing demolition of the Dargah. The SP of Junagadh, along with divisional DSPs, all PI, PSI officers, and police staff, were tasked with managing the security arrangements during the demolition of the Dargah.
Roads Closed as Police Ensures Security
On the other hand, the Junagadh Police also orchestrated a robust security deployment, closing off all roads leading into Junagadh for a period of three to four hours. As part of the security measures, vehicles approaching Majewadi Gate were diverted through bypass routes. This systematic operation aimed to ensure the complete containment of the demolition work within a confined area, as per the operational strategy devised by the authorities.
The Case of the Dargah
On June 16, 2023, Majewadi Dargah received a demolition notice, demanding essential documents within five days, as communicated by the Municipal Corporation. This directive led to a gathering of members of the local minority community during the late hours. Tensions arose between the police and some members of the Muslim community during the gathering.
Fatal Incident During the Confrontation
During the gathering near Majewadi Gate, an attack was launched on the deployed police force. In the chaos, Bhodabhai alias Polabhai Vinabhai Sureja was fatally injured by a stone thrown amidst the confrontation. Consequently, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a PSI were injured among the stationed police personnel in Junagadh.
Rampage Extends to Police Station
Following the escalation, the turmoil extended to the Majewadi Gate Police Station, where vandalism occurred. In the heat of the moment, a police officer’s bike was overturned by the enraged mob. Additionally, a police vehicle, a government bus, and a police officer’s car fell victim to the rampage initiated by the mob. Tire punctures were inflicted on police vehicles by the stone throwers. To regain control of the situation, Junagadh Police detained over 200 individuals involved in the unrest.
