Maha govt razes illegal structures after stone-pelting incident during Ram Mandir rally in Mumbai

In Mira Road, close to Mumbai, the Maharashtra government demolished illegal buildings and bulldozer encroachments on Tuesday, two days after the area was rocked by violence during a Ram Temple rally.

The government of Eknath Shinde announced that illegal stores and homes where stones were thrown during a Hindu procession on Monday have been targeted.

Notably, the demolition occurred just one day after deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis threatened to take tough measures against rioters.

An unknown number of processionists and police officers who were providing security for the march were hurt in the area by the stone attack.

To prevent any untoward incident, a sizable contingent of police officers, including a Rapid Action Force (RAF) team, was stationed in the area.

The police claim that the altercation started in the Naya Nagar neighbourhood when some Hindus staged a rally with three to four vehicles and banners.

According to police, a group of people brandishing iron rods, sticks, and bats attacked the man driving a car, three other vehicles and ten two-wheelers in the procession while yelling religious slogans.

Multiple videos of the altercation between two communities in the Mumbai neighbourhood of Mira Road went viral on social media, according to a senior Mumbai police official. An image of Abu Shaikh, who was seen provocatively by onlookers, went viral. The uploader of this video has been taken into custody, and Mira Bhayander police have requested a two-day stay.

Additionally, 13 people were detained by the police after they filed a report alleging that 50–60 people had attempted murder.

The incident happened the night before Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir consecration ceremony.