Thirteen people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence that broke out in Mira Road on Sunday night. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said others involved in the incident are being identified as well.

Bhavana Singh | HENB | Mumbai | Jan 24, 2024:: Thirteen people were arrested and four others, who are minors, were detained by the police after two communities clashed during a vehicle rally on the outskirts of Mumbai on January 21.

Police also have arrested a person who was seen provoking people in a viral video on social media. Abu Shehma Shaikh was arrested section 153A, 505(2) of IPC & section 66c of IT Act at Naya Nagar Police Station regarding his Facebook Post.

In his viral video, Shaikh was heard saying, “This is not UP, this is Mumbai.” He then goes on to make communal remarks which have landed him in trouble.

A group of 10-12 people in cars and motorcycles had taken out a rally on Sunday night in in Naya Nagar in Mira Bhayender, chanting slogans praising Lord Ram. The rally was taken ahead of the scheduled Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya. Another group objected to firecrackers being burst during the rally and a scuffle soon broke out between the two groups.

Hours later, the pro-Ram Mandir people marched to the affected area on the late of intervening night of Jan 21-22 as retaliation.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there will be “zero tolerance” against anyone who tried to disturb the law and order situation in the state.

Fadnavis said that he took detailed information about what had occurred in Naya Nagar in Mira Bhayender. “Police were instructed to take strictest action against the culprits. 13 have been arrested so far and detailed analysis of CCTV footage is underway to identify and arrest others involved too,” Fadnavis said.

“There will be zero tolerance against anyone who tries to take the law in their own hands and attempts to disturb the law & order situation in Maharashtra,” Devendra Fadnavis said.

After the strong statement from the Deputy CM of Maharashtra and  less than 48 hours after a mob on Sunday night attacked vehicles with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ flags on them in Mira Road’s Naya Nagar, the local civic authorities carried out a demolition drive at Hyderi Chowk in the same area, razing 17 illegal structures including extensions to shops, temporary sheds and a garage.

Over 1,000 personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and from police stations in Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar were deployed as the anti-demolition squad of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation brought in two bulldozers on Tuesday evening for pulling down the structures.

Shrikant Pathak, Additional Commissioner of Police at Mira Bhayandar appealed to everyone to maintain peace in the area.

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__Inputs from ANI, TOI & Metro Mumbai.