Police round up six persons; vhp, nsui organise protest rallies.
In a shocking incident, a Pakistani flag was found hoisted in the state's Anand district.
According to reports, the Pakistani flag was found hoisted in a graveyard in the Oal Bazaar area of Umreth town in the district. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the flag had been there for the last two months.
The flags were tied to a neem tree above the Jorawar Sayed Baba dargah. Six persons have been arrested in this connection.
The incident came to light when a sub-inspector informed his superiors about the flag, following which he was asked to take action. Reports of the incident caused outrage in the state. In Ahmedabad, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and NSUI staged protest demonstrations. NSUI members also burnt Pakistani flags.
When asked about the incident, executive magistrate of Anand, A Jha, said that the area has a huge neem tree, as a result of which the flag could not be sighted earlier. Further, there was a cemetery in the vicinity which made it difficult to distinguish the flag. She, however, said that the flag has now been removed.
Talking about the investigations into the incident, Dy SP of Anand said that six persons have been arrested and interrogation is on. He added that the flag was hoisted with the knowledge and permission of graveyard's trustees, who is also among the arrested. The flag is believed to have been hoisted during the Urs in July this year. An official complaint has been filed against six persons, including two trustees and workers of the dargah, for engineering enmity between different sections of society, under Section 153A of the IPC.
Talking to DNA, investigation officer of Umreth police station, PSI AM Patel, said, "We have arrested six persons including the trustees and some workers of the shrine. We are conducting detailed investigations in the case."
Locals say they had earlier complained to the police about the incident, but no action was taken. The Union home ministry has been apprised of the situation.
In Ahmedabad, VHP and NSUI members staged protests at two different places on Monday. VHP members demonstrated at Income-Tax circle on Ashram Road with banners and slogans against Pakistan. NSUI student leaders burnt Pakistan's national flag near Gujarat Law Society campus at Law Garden.
"It is very shameful for chief minister Narendra Modi that he is advising the PM to take on Pakistan, but Pakistani flag was fluttering for the last two months right under his nose, and yet he could not get any information about it," said Bhavinsinh Rathod, vice-president of the NSUI's state unit.
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