Nanded gurdwara violence: Police arrests 14 after clash leaves 4 personnel injured

New Delhi: 14 people have been arrested in connection with the attack on policemen by a mob of sword- wielding Sikhs in Nanded on Monday. The incident happened after they were denied permission to hold a public procession due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A police official said that the Wazirabad police has registered three FIRs against 64 people (who have been named in the FIRs) along with other unidentified individuals in connection with Monday’s incident at the Sri Hazur Sahib gurudwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded district.

A viral video showed the sword-wielding mob barging out of the gurudwara, breaking the barricades put up by police and attacking the policemen.

A viral video showed the sword-wielding mob barging out of the gurudwara, breaking the barricades put up by police and attacking the policemen.
| #Maharashtra #NandedGurudwara #Nanded |

Read Here-https://t.co/K5NDhu3CGD pic.twitter.com/SxJewxOGqw

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The official said that four constables were injured and one of them is in serious condition. Six vehicles were also damaged in the violence. The police is also trying to confirm if anyone from the gurudwara committee had any role in the incident, he said.

“We have arrested 14 people till now on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and under provisions of the Arms Act and other sections. Around 64 people have been named in the FIR, while search is on for others,” said the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Nanded Range, Nisar Tamboli in a statement to PTI.

Four police personnel were injured when some Sikh youth broke the gates of a gurudwara in Nanded and allegedly attacked them after permission for ‘Hola Mohalla’ tradition was denied due to COVID-19.

Maharashtra: 4 Police personnel injured after some Sikh youth broke gates of Gurudwara in Nanded & allegedly attacked them. SP says, 'Permission for Hola Mohalla wasn't granted due to #COVID19. Gurudwara committee was informed & they'd said that they would do it inside Gurudwara" pic.twitter.com/clOBTQBb9F

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2021

SP Vinod Shivade said, “Permission for Hola Mohalla (Halla Bol) wasn’t granted due to COVID-19. Gurudwara committee was informed and they’d said that they would do it inside Gurudwara.”

“The committee had said they’ll do it inside Gurudwara premises itself. But around 4 pm when Nishan Sahib was brought to the gate, they started arguing and 300-400 youth broke the gate and marched outside. Four police personnel were injured and vehicles were damaged. An FIR has been registered and a probe is on,” SP added.