Nagpur violence: What about instigators, asks Congress as Fadnavis orders 'UP-style' action

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Congress on Saturday accused the Mahayuti government of bias against a particular community and claimed that police did not allow his party's “fact-finding” committee to visit violence-hit areas in Nagpur.
Congress leader Manikrao Thakare, who is heading the seven-member committee of the party, questioned how the government would ensure a fair and impartial probe into the violence. Addressing a press conference, he criticised the Fadnavis government for failing to protect its citizens, alleging that its ministers routinely target a particular community and spread hate.
Action should be taken against both those involved in arson and violence and those who instigated it, he said. “We met Hindus and Muslims here to understand the sequence of incidents and who was responsible,” Thakare stated, acording to news agency PTI.
He also accused the police of preventing the

fact-finding committee

from visiting affected areas under the pretext of curfew.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis promised strict action against rioters and said the government would recover the cost of damaged property from them. “If they fail to compensate, their properties will be seized and sold,” he warned. When asked about the possibility of “Uttar Pradesh-style” action, he said, “The bulldozer will roll if necessary.”
Thakare, however, accused the police and government of sharing “half-truths.”
“It is the government's duty to maintain law and order. But it looks like ministers and the BJP's frontal organizations have taken up the task of destroying peace in the state. Nagpur city has never seen such violence. It had always been peaceful,” he said.
The violence erupted on March 17 in Vidarbha’s biggest city after rumors spread that a ‘chadar’ with religious inscriptions had been burnt during a protest led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The riots left 33 police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, injured.
Thakare questioned why permission was granted for a protest aimed at hurting religious sentiments. “Ideally, police do not allow any attempt to disturb peace in society,” he said.
“Along with a replica of Aurangzeb’s grave, a green ‘chadar’ with verses from the Quran was burnt, and there is evidence,” he added.
The Congress leader also responded to CM Fadnavis' claim that a conspiracy was behind the violence. “If there was a conspiracy, then what is the government for? The governor should dismiss the government if it fails to protect all communities,” he said.
He further questioned why only stone-pelters were being booked. “What action has been taken against those who instigated the violence?” he asked, insisting that innocent people should not be targeted.
Congress MLA Vikas Thakre urged police to allow markets to function in affected areas and suggested forming “all-faith peace committees” to restore harmony.
When reporters asked Akola MLA Sajid Pathan whether he was the person Fadnavis referred to when claiming that “one of the members of the visiting panel is an accused in the Akola violence case,” Pathan dismissed the accusation. “The BJP is crossing all limits of telling lies. I have come here with a message of peace, and allegations are being leveled against me. Instead of focusing on restoring peace in the city, the irony is that discussions are being held about who should be on the committee,” he said.
According to Fadnavis, authorities have identified 104 individuals based on CCTV footage and video recordings. Action has been initiated against 92 people, including 12 minors, he said.