Top officer orders high-level probe into Hingoli violence

AURANGABAD: A high-level probe by the superintendent of police has been ordered to investigate the communal riots that broke out on the day of Eid-ul-Azha in Hingoli town, about 225 km from here, earlier this week.

The incident occurred on Monday, when several trucks, led by Hingoli district Shiv Sena president, were on their way to an assembly point in Kalamnuri for the Kavad Yatra.

Instead of diverting the trucks, police allegedly allowed them to pass through a road parallel to an Eidgah when local people were offering Eid prayers.

Irked by the loud music blaring from the trucks and slogan shouting by those on board, the local people voiced their protest. This, however, did not go down well with those on trucks, which resulted in stone pelting and clashes between two groups in the presence of police. Several people were injured in the incident, and over two dozen vehicles damaged.

Police have registered an offence of rioting against 100-150 suspects, and arrested over a dozen rioters.

Post the riots, serious questions are being raised over the decision of the police to allow vehicles, blaring loud music, to pass through when local people were attending a religious congregation in large numbers.

Initially, amidst allegations flying thick and fast, Hingoli additional superintendent of police was asked to conduct an internal inquiry. But with reports raising questions about the decision of the police to allow the movement of heavy vehicles playing music system, the decision to monitor and supervise the inquiry was given to the SP.

Hingoli SP, Yogesh Kumar, said, “An internal inquiry has been ordered into the incident, and I am personally monitoring it. When the traffic movement was diverted for Eid prayers, why and how the roads were opened for several trucks to pass through at the time of prayers?”

The officer reiterated that anyone found guilty of committing mischief will be dealt with strictly.

Sources have confirmed that the state police headquarter has already sought a detailed report from the Nanded range inspector general of police’s office about the riots.