Muslims pelt stones at officials who went to demolish an illegal dargah in Somnath !

• Two policemen injured

• Case registered against 100 people

(A dargah is a site where a Muslim’s body is buried)

Somnath (Gujarat) – Tension erupted during an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the administration at Prabhas Patan in Gir Somnath District. While officials were removing an illegal dargah built on government land, a group of Muslims gathered there and began arguing with the authorities. Soon, a mob of around 100 people started shouting slogans and pelting stones at the police. Two police personnel were injured in the attack.

1.On 10 November, the administration had planned to remove 11 illegal shops, houses and religious structures located near the Somnath Temple. When the police team reached the Hazrat Rangilashah dargah for demolition, a mob of about 100 Muslims — including burqa-clad women, men and children — began pelting stones at them. The police brought the situation under control by resorting to baton charge and firing tear gas shells. In the attack, Prabhas Patan Police Inspector M V Patel and Police Constable Kuldeepsinh Parmar were injured.

2.Police officials said that the situation is now fully under control and an offence has been registered against the attackers. Most of the accused have fled, and efforts are on to trace them. The administration has clarified that the drive to remove encroachments on government land will continue, and strict action will be taken against those who take the law into their own hands.

Editorial Perspectives

• Was the administration sleeping while the illegal dargah was being constructed ?

• When it is well known from past incidents that Muslims often resort to violence, was it not police failure to approach them without full preparedness and end up being attacked ?