‘Strict action will be taken…’: CM Eknath Shinde on Akola, Shevgaon riots

New Delhi: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde issued a statement with regard to the riots in Akola and Shevgaon. CMO directed to take strict action against the people taking the law into their hands. CM Shinde also appealed to people to maintain social harmony and peace in the state and assured them that no one’s sentiments will be hurt.

Eknath Shinde directed the officials to take action against rioters and informed that the situation in Akola and Shevgaon is under control after they deployed the police force. CM Shinde also urged the public to not take the law into their hands, and to be careful while sharing information on social media.

अकोला आणि शेवगाव येथे झालेल्या दंगलींना जबाबदार असणाऱ्यांवर कठोर कारवाई करण्याचे निर्देश मुख्यमंत्री @mieknathshinde यांनी दिले आहेत. सामाजिक सलोखा राखला जाईल, कुणाच्याही भावना दुखावणार नाही याची काळजी घेऊन सामाजिक सलोखा ठेवण्यासाठी जनतेने सहकार्य करण्याचे आवाहनही…

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 15, 2023

The statement by CMO also stated that Maharashtra’s Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan visited Akola and Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil visited Shevgaon to assess the situation.

Violent clashes between the two groups erupted a couple of days ago over a minor dispute. One person was brought dead to Civil Hospital amid the riots in Akola, while eight people, including two police personnel, have been injured. Mob marched on the streets and vehicles were damaged.

As informed by SP Sandeep Ghuge, the police have detained about 30 people in relation to the case. Collector Neema Arora ordered Section 144 of CrPC to be imposed in Akola while Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was among the first ones to take cognizance of the situation and order a probe. This was the second clash in the region in the last few days as earlier, there was a similar violent clash between two groups in the Shankar Nagar locality.