

Vadodara

There has been anger among minority Hindus of Fatepura area in Vadodara due to behavior of police after communal clash here.

Communal clash had erupted on Sunday evening after Shiv murti in Sarveshwar Mahadev Mandir was found broken in area where Hindus are in minority.

One bike was torched, ATM was attacked and heavy stone pelting had went on for about half an hour in this area. Police had to lob over 20 tear gas shells following this incident.

On Wednesday, local Hindus marched to Police Bhavan and made representation before higher officials over their ‘biased’ behavior towards complainants and victims.

Locals alleged that police tortured Hindu priest of Mandir to confess that he himself had broken murti of Shiv. Locals marched in support of priest and objected such tactics of police.

There are only three Hindu families living in Sarveshwar Mahadev Mandir locality. One of them is Gopalrao alias Bakabhai Ganpatbhai’s family. Priest’s family members and supporters said they had no complain against other community, but the way police was trying Bakabhai to confess that he himself had broken the murti was unacceptable.

Swapnil Parte who is son of priest Bakabhai is complainant in case pertaining to murti.

Swapnil told Police Commissioner that on Monday morning, police had visited his place and taken him to Bhadra office of police, where he was asked to sit for hours and tortured to confess that he himself had broken murti. Swapnil said he refused to confess this and decided to continue to stand for truth. Swapnil’s sister Mohini was also taken to police station. Police had seized mobile phones of Swapnil and his sister. They both were allowed to leave police station only when local municipal Councillor intervened.

Locals said Bakabhai was told by police that his daughter goes to job alone and anything can happen to her on way.

Locals said some police officials told them that it was this mandir which was responsible for three communal clashes.It should be relocated to some other place to maintain law and order.

Hidns from Koyli Faliya, Pitambar Pol, Hujarat Paga and Kishanvadi areas visited police commissioner office and submitted a memorandum complaining that city police station and other police station staff enter inside their house anytime which is not acceptable.

Police had arrested 16 suspects after Sunday evening clash. FIR was filed against a group of 200 persons, 45 of which were identified. 16 of them arrested by police were sent to judicial custody by local court.

– DeshGujarat