Surat: Stones pelted at Ganesh pandal in ‘Sayedpura’ area; over 30 arrested

Stone-pelting at Ganesh pandal in Gujarat’s Surat sparks tensions

A shocking incident of stone-pelting at the Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area of Surat on Sunday evening has led to widespread unrest and a strong response from local Hindu communities. The violence targeted the Ganpati pandal, a key site for the ongoing Ganesh Utsav celebrations, prompting a subsequent surge of public outrage.

Six people were arrested for pelting stones at a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area of Gujarat’s Surat on Monday, said officials here, adding that 27 others, who were involved in encouraging the incident have also been detained.

The attack on the Ganesh pandal incited immediate anger among devotees and local residents, who took to the streets to protest. Their frustration led to further damage, including the vandalism of vehicles and the surroundings of a local police station, where they demanded swift justice.

Police had to resort to the lathi charge and use tear gas to control the growing crowd.

Local sources revealed that a group of individuals targeted the Ganpati pandal, sparking anger among devotees and residents. The situation escalated quickly, with protesters taking to the streets and damaging vehicles in retaliation. In response, Surat police resorted to lathi charges and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, but a large number of protesters again gathered later, demanding action.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed the incident, stating that six individuals were involved in the stone-pelting.

“All six have been arrested, along with 27 others who are accused of inciting the act,” Sanghvi said during a media briefing. He assured the public that an investigation was underway and stern action would be taken against anyone disturbing the peace. “Police are deployed in all areas of Surat to ensure law and order,” he added.

Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot provided additional details, explaining that the initial stone-pelting was carried out by a group of children, which then led to a more significant clash.

“The police immediately took the children involved into custody, but the situation escalated quickly. Lathi charges were conducted in areas where necessary, and tear gas was deployed to bring the situation under control,” Gehlot said. “Around 1,000 police personnel are currently deployed to maintain peace,” he added.

The heightened tensions prompted authorities to maintain a high alert across the city to prevent further escalation during the ongoing Ganesh Utsav celebrations.

Surat’s Saiyedpura area has become a focal concern for the authorities. With the stone-pelting incident casting a shadow over the Ganesh Utsav festivities, the police and administration are working to ensure peace and calm. “We are monitoring the situation closely, and anyone found disturbing communal harmony will face strict action,” said Sanghvi during his visit to the scene.

As the community seeks justice and the city works to recover from the disturbances, the focus remains on maintaining calm and ensuring that the Ganesh Utsav celebrations continue peacefully.

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