Surat Ganesh Idol Targeted by 6 Muslims in Stone-Pelting Attack; Aarti Performed Under Tight Police Security the Next Morning
A Ganesha idol, known as “Variyavi Cha Raja,” was established at Saiyadpura Variyavi Market in Surat. Six Muslim individuals, including four adults and two minors, caused unrest by pelting stones at the idol. The attack occurred after 9 PM when the group arrived in a rickshaw and started throwing stones.
The organizers apprehended the attackers and handed them over to the police. The police also detained the fathers of all the attackers from the Sagrampura area. Thousands of people surrounded the Saiyadpura Police Station, located 100 meters from the event site. To disperse the crowd, the police resorted to lathi charge and fired more than 10 tear gas shells.
Following the incident, heavy police forces were deployed in the area, and a combing operation was initiated. In response to the incident, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi tweeted that 27 people have been arrested so far in connection with the stone-pelting. The situation is now peaceful, with tight police security in place at the location.
Morning Aarti of Lord Ganesha Performed Amidst Police Security
The Divya Bhaskar team visited the Ganesha pandal in Saiyadpura, where a stone-pelting incident took place late at night. The pandal had been attacked, but currently, police officers are stationed, and the worship of Lord Ganesha is being conducted peacefully.
Even the police officers participated in the worship ceremony. A special “Vraj” vehicle has also been deployed for additional security. The organizers mentioned that incidents have occurred over the past three years, but this time the attack has caused distress among the public.
DGP Vikas Sahay to Hold Meeting in Gandhinagar
In response to the recent incident, the state police force has sprung into action. DGP Vikas Sahay will chair a meeting in Gandhinagar with IGs, SPs, and other senior police officers from various districts. The meeting will focus on taking action against anti-social elements during the festival season.
Additionally, discussions will be held with peace committees from all districts. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gujarat on September 16-17, and security arrangements for his visit will also be a key topic of discussion.
Strict Action Will Be Taken Against Stone Pelters: Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi
Late at night, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi stated that all the accused would be apprehended before sunrise. Continuous combing operations are being carried out by the city police. He firmly declared that any attempt to disrupt the peace in Gujarat would not be tolerated.
Some individuals had locked themselves inside their homes, but the police broke the locks and brought them out. Sanghavi emphasized, “No matter how securely you lock yourself in, we will break the locks and bring you out. Strict actions will be taken against the stone pelters.”
He also mentioned that he has canceled all his scheduled programs in Gandhinagar today and will be staying in Surat for the entire day. In the afternoon, he will address a press conference to provide all the details regarding the incident. “We will take action not only against those who threw stones but also against those who incited others to do so,” he added.
The Situation is Completely Peaceful Now: DCP
DCP Bhagirath Gadhvi stated that those involved in the stone-pelting incident were arrested from the same area. Legal action has been taken against them. The police have been patrolling the area, and the situation is now completely peaceful.
This morning, the entire police team, including officers and personnel from the headquarters, arrived at the scene. Anti-riot vehicles, riot control equipment, and Vraj vehicles have also been deployed. People in the area have resumed their daily activities as usual.
He added that action will also be taken against those involved in setting vehicles on fire. The police are urging citizens not to fall prey to rumors and to help maintain peace in the city. If anyone has any concerns, they are encouraged to approach the police, who will take appropriate action.
Some residents have alleged that similar stone-pelting incidents occurred last year as well.
Police Break Locks to Arrest Accused in Saiyadpura Violence
Following the sudden outbreak of violence in the Saiyadpura area, the police launched a search for the stone-pelters. Many of the accused had hidden inside their homes. To find them, the police entered the homes, where some had locked their doors from the outside to avoid suspicion.
The police had specific information that, despite the locks, the stone-pelters were hiding inside. Acting on this information, the police broke the locks of several homes and arrested the suspects.
In an attempt to avoid arrest, some stone-pelters used women as a shield. The women claimed they were alone in the house and that no one else was present. In response, the crime branch sent female police inspectors to these homes.
Upon searching one home, the officers discovered four individuals hiding behind a kitchen curtain, stacked on top of each other to avoid detection. The suspects even kept their shoes with them to leave no trace of their presence. Despite their efforts, the police entered the house and arrested the accused.
Police Deployed to Bring Situation Under Control
Last night, as the situation intensified following the incident, City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot and Mayor Dakshesh Mavani arrived at the scene. A police force was deployed to manage and control the situation.
In this incident, two police officers, including DCP Vijay Singh Gurjar, were injured. The police launched a combing operation, entering homes to conduct searches. Female police personnel also visited nearby houses in the surrounding areas to make inquiries.
Harsh Sanghavi Performs Aarti at Ganesha Pandal, Tweets About It
Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, along with the Surat police team and organizers of the Ganesha Mandal, performed aarti and offered prayers at the Ganesha pandal where the stone-pelting incident had taken place.
Sanghavi shared this event on social media, highlighting the collective efforts of the police and community in restoring peace.
Accused Will Be Presented in Court: Police Commissioner
Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated that so far, 27 individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Three cases have been registered: one for pelting stones at the idol, another for pelting stones at the site, and a third for setting vehicles on fire in the Katargam area.
A total of three offenses have been recorded so far. A meeting with the peace committee is being organized, where it will be emphasized that those attempting to disrupt peace will not be spared.
CCTV footage is being reviewed, and all arrested individuals will be presented in court. Additional operations were carried out throughout the night, and further arrests or detentions are expected.
Police Deployed in Sensitive Areas
Police have been stationed in the sensitive areas of Surat to prevent the situation from escalating further. Patrolling has been initiated across all parts of the city, including Nanpura, Rander, and Maharana Pratap Circle.
A large-scale combing operation has been launched in the Saiyadpura area. The police are also monitoring the entire region using drones to ensure that any groups gathering can be quickly identified and apprehended.
Measures Will Be Taken to Prevent Future Incidents: MP Mukesh Dalal
Surat MP Mukesh Dalal stated that he arrived in the Saiyadpura area as soon as he was informed about the incident. He condemned the act, emphasizing that such actions will not be tolerated.
According to the information available, some individuals have already been arrested. MP Dalal assured that efforts will be made to ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future.
Idol Not Damaged, Drum Below the Idol Was Torn: Ganesha Mandal Organizer
Manishaben Ghale, an organizer from the Ganesha Mandal, clarified that the idol itself was not damaged; rather, the drum placed below the idol was torn. She reported that the stone-pelting was carried out by teenagers.
The area is maintained with great peace and harmony, and even processions such as the Tajiya are conducted from their locality without any issues. However, she expressed confusion over why such stone-pelting occurred. She also mentioned that a similar incident had happened at another nearby Ganesha pandal last year.
Attack Resembles Patterns Seen in Jammu-Kashmir: VHP
Nilesh Akbari, Surat city secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), commented that the manner in which the attack occurred in Surat resembles the patterns seen in Jammu-Kashmir, where young children are used for stone-pelting.
He highlighted that minors were involved in the stone-pelting incident. Akbari criticized the act as a deliberate attempt by miscreants to disrupt the Ganesh festival and emphasized the need for legal action to address and prevent such actions.
Local Resident Appeals to Surat Police for Justice
A local resident reported that while they were peacefully passing through the area with eight other youths, they were suddenly attacked by six Muslim individuals who began pelting stones. The resident mentioned that they were injured, with blood starting to flow from their hand due to the stones.
Upon reaching a safer location, they immediately informed the police about the incident. The resident appealed to the Surat police, requesting justice and emphasizing how inappropriate it is for such social elements to engage in stone-pelting.
Over 10 Police Personnel, Including DCP Gurjar, Injured in Stone-Pelting Incident
In the stone-pelting incident, more than 10 police personnel, including DCP Vijay Gurjar, were injured. Stones were also thrown from the upper floors of surrounding buildings.
Aarti Performed Under Police Protection in Saiyadpura at 2 AM
In Saiyadpura, five families had set up Ganesh idols, but the aarti scheduled for 9 PM could not be performed due to the chaos. As a result, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Mayor Dakshesh Mavani, and Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot performed the aarti at 2 AM under heavy police protection.
Meanwhile, the police broke down doors to apprehend the rioters, and a combing operation was conducted throughout the night in Saiyadpura and surrounding areas.
Rioters Arrived in Auto-Rickshaw GJ-05-TT-4433 and Attacked Ganesh Idol
The rioters arrived in an auto-rickshaw with the number GJ-05-TT-4433 and targeted the Ganesh idol with stones. Local residents found several stones near the Ganesh mandap and managed to apprehend all the attackers, handing them over to the police.
After being detained, one of the boys reportedly said, “I just came today.” Locals believe that those who involve young children in such acts must be punished.
