Some 18 people were arrested when reports last came in on
Saturday evening. Police had to lob 4 tear gas shells to control the mob.
A peaceful demonstration by residents of the Hanuman pura no khado in Juna Vadaj against a woman bootlegger of the area turned violent following a confrontation between police and the residents. Some 18 people were arrested when reports last came in on
Saturday evening. Police had to lob 4 tear gas shells to control the mob.
Sources close to the development said that riots broke out in the area on Saturday morning when residents started pelting stones at police personnel after they were allegedly attacked by the police. Sources said that the protesters were sleeping on the roads and blocking it to prevent the arrest of four people named in a complaint filed by a woman bootlegger.
According to police sources, a mob of at least 500 people had gathered at the Hanuman pura no khado in Juna Vadaj to protest the actions of a woman bootlegger named Savitaben Selat in the area. Earlier a complaint had been filed against the bootlegger and she was arrested. Savitaben later filed a cross complaint against four people. When police reached the area to arrest the four, the residents of the area protested the arrest.
They slept on the roads and created a chaka jam like situation. Residents of the area told DNA that they reacted when the Naranpura police attacked them. A resident of the area, Baluben Macwana said, "Savita used to threaten and intimidate us to clear our homes for her business."
Residents allege that associates of Savita had earlier hit some residents who had stepped out of their homes for construction work. The residents also gathered at the Naranpura police station seeking justice.
Naranpura police officials said that the dispute between the residents and the woman bootlegger had been going on for long. An official said, "The dispute between the two parties had been going on for some time now. This was just an after effect of the dispute. We got into action as the residents told us that the woman was a bootlegger. "
The official said police also arrested Savita after a complaint was field against her. The bootlegger, however, filed a cross complaint against 4 of the residents alleging that they had harassed her. Naranpura in-charge police inspector RK Khambadiya said, "The situation is under control now. The accused have been booked for rioting."
Manali Shah of SEWA who is assisting the residents praised the women of the area who protested against the bootlegger. She said, "These women have shown courage in protesting against the activities of the bootlegger. They should be supported.”
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