Gandhinagar SP, DySP among 20 cops injured as a protest march by Asaram followers turns violent.
More than 200 supporters of Asaram were arrested after their demonstration on Thursday, outside the collectorate office in Gandhinagar, turned violent. The demonstrators started pelting stones at the policemen.
At least 20 police personnel were injured in the incident, including Gandhinagar SP Piyush Patel and DySP KC Chudasma.
The police had to lob several teargas shells to disperse the violent mob. Officials said the supporters had taken prior permission for the demonstration.
This time it was the turn of police officials to be at the receiving end of the violence unleashed by supporters of Asaram Bapu. Around 27 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured in the incident. The event brought back memories of an earlier incident when Asaram supporters had targeted the common people and mediapersons last year.
Reports said supporters of the Asaram ashram had turned up outside the district collectorate office in Gandhinagar on Thursday morning. They were protesting the alleged police harassment of sadhaks following the death of two gurukul children. They, however, turned violent soon and started pelting stones at policemen.
Two senior officials - Gandhinagar SP Piyush Patel and DySP KC Chudasma -sustained severe injuries in the incident. Sources in the department said that Patel’s hand was injured while Chudasma had head injuries. Inspector of Sector 7 police station and many other PSIs on duty were also injured. Seven members of the irate mob were also injured.
Three sadhaks - Kundan Javle, Maulik Gupta and Parmatma Mishra -who got injured in the incident were admitted to the Sal Hospital. Sources said police were forced to lob tear gas shells to push back the irate mob.
Officials said Asaram supporters had taken permission to hold a demonstration to protest the alleged harassment of sadhaks by police officials. However, the permission given had clearly stated that only four people could assemble at the place. But the situation went out of control when more than 100 people gathered outside the collectorate and tried to force their way into the building. They wanted to meet the officials.
When the police tried to prevent them from entering the collectorate, the supporters began pelting stones at them.
DGP SS Khandwawala told
DNA that 203 people who were part of the mob have been arrested under provisions of rioting. The accused have also been booked under section 307 of the IPC (attempt to murder), sources said. Khandwawala said that an enquiry into the incident will be carried out by IG Gandhinagar range, AK Sharma. Officials said that the supporters carried flags proclaiming support for the ashram. “The flags could have been used as batons and this is one reason why the police tried to prevent them from entering the building,” said the source.
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