Nagpur Violence: From Weapons to Violent Provocation, 5 Findings That Hint at Conspiracy to Disrupt Communal Harmony

Nagpur: The FIR filed against the Nagpur Violence over the Aurangzeb Tomb Row has revealed five key findings including the use of multiple weapons and violent provocation, that hint at a conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony. 

Violence broke out in Maharashtra 's Nagpur on Monday evening, over a rumour that the peaceful protestors have desecrated a copy of the holy Quran, amid the ongoing controversy over the removal of the Aurangeb's tomb. 

Also Read: Nagpur Violence: 9 CCTV Clips Indicate Clear Pre-Planning, Maharashtra CM Suspects It To Be A 'Conspiracy'

Nagpur Violence: 5 Key Findings in FIR Hinting at Conspiracy to Cause Communal Hatred

According to the FIR filed against the rioters, on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal protested against Aurangzeb's tomb when a group of people in what seemed to be a pre-planned violence, began stone-pelting and burning of vehicles on the basis of a rumour that the peaceful protestors had desecrated a copy of the holy Quran.

Several police officers were injured and there was a large-scale vandalism in the city. Here are five key findings in the registered FIR, that hint at a conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony and cause hatred…

1. Weapons Used: According to the FIR, the violence, which was allegedly pre-planned and premediated, included the use of a wide range of weapons. In an attempt to disrupt communal harmony and cause hatred between people of different religions, the rioters used wielded axes, sticks, stones and other such weapons, sparking a situation of terror.
2. Illegal Gathering: As per the FIR, a group of 50 to 60 individuals, led by Fahim Khan Shami Khan of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), illegally gathered at the police station to protest against the other group.
3. Police Officers Attacked: The FIR has also mentioned that despite several calls to disperse, the rioters remained in their positions, ready to incite violence and a riot. Not only did the police announcements go unheard, but police officers on duty were also attacked with stones and lethal weapons. Petrol pumps had been used to demoralise the cops and create chaos.
4. Violent Provocation: According to the FIR registered in the Nagpur violence, the violent rioters did not only cause physical destruction but also chanted slogans inciting violence against Hindus and also spread false rumours to increase the people's hostility towards the police.
5. Large-Scale Vandalism: The violence that broke out in Nagpur on Monday evening seems pre-planned and orchestrated as the violent mob destroyed vehicles, opened the motorcycles' petrol tanks to take out petrol and then used it to burn the vehicles down. Jute bags were also set on fire and thrown in the direction of the houses. Several people including police officials were injured.

Female Cop Molested by Rioters in Nagpur

Another horrific information revealed in the FIR filed against the rioters is the molestation of a female police officer. The FIR mentions that a male crowd attempted to molest a female police officer while exploiting and misusing the darkness of the night. A group within the mob caught hold of a woman police officer and molested her; they tried to disrobe her but the female police officer managed to escape in time. As she escaped, the rioters turned to police vehicles parked there and vandalised them.

Was Nagpur Violence Pre-Planned, A ‘Premediated Conspiracy'?

Nine CCTV videos have emerged, shedding light on the violence in Nagpur related to the Aurangzeb Tomb controversy, revealing that the unrest was premeditated. The footage shows mobs throwing stones, vandalizing vehicles, and siphoning petrol from bikes parked along the roads, with clear indications that these actions were orchestrated. According to the clips reviewed by Republic, the violence was planned in advance. The report from Republic uncovers how the mobs deliberately engaged in destructive activities to cause widespread damage, and after the chaos, they also tried to eliminate all evidence of their actions.

Republic reporters have uncovered details suggesting the violence was premeditated. The men involved first damaged motorcycles, opened their fuel tanks, and spilled the petrol. They then broke open spray bottles, set the contents on fire, and threw them near a petrol pump to incite destruction. Another indication of the planned nature of the Nagpur violence is the discovery of a completely charred jute bag, which had been soaked in petrol, ignited, and thrown toward residential areas. The cars were also set ablaze using these spray bottles and jute bags, further pointing to the deliberate orchestration of the attack.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also feel that the Nagpur violence was pre-planned and a conspiracy. Fadnavis said in the Maharashtra Assembly, "The mob targeted specific houses and establishments. It (the attack) appears to be a premeditated conspiracy." Eknath Shinde also said that the violence was pre-planned and was targeting a particular community.

(Inputs from PTI)