Ahmedabad: Arson, vandalism flare up after Satellite murder tension

Ahmedabad: Tension following a murder in Satellite area earlier this month appears to have led into incidents of arson and vandalism, with two separate complaints lodged at Satellite police station on Monday alleging that unidentified persons set houses and a CNG autorickshaw on fire in Rajivnagar area.

In the first complaint, a 65-year-old homemaker alleged that a mob of around 15 unidentified persons broke into her locked house in Rajivnagar Division-2 near Shakti School around 3am on May 25 and set the property on fire, causing damage estimated at nearly Rs 1 lakh.

According to the complaint, the woman and her relatives had temporarily shifted to their native village after the murder of a local resident on May 2 triggered tension in the locality. She stated that relatives and associates of the deceased had allegedly been visiting the area and creating disturbances, prompting the family to keep the house locked and move out for safety.

The complainant said she received a call from a neighbour informing her that a group had broken the lock of her residence and set household belongings on fire. On reaching the spot, she found furniture, bedding, fans, a television set, a water motor and a sewing machine partially burnt. Locals also informed her that fires had been reported at a few other houses in the locality.

Satellite police registered a case of unlawful assembly, rioting and criminal intimidation against unidentified persons.

In another complaint, a 35-year-old autorickshaw driver alleged that unidentified persons vandalized and set his parked CNG autorickshaw on fire near Ramapir Temple Crossroads in Rajivnagar on the night of May 4. The complainant said the vehicle’s windshield, seats and hood were damaged in the fire, causing losses of around Rs 15,000.

Police registered a separate offence of attempt to culpable homicide and mischief by fire, noting that the vehicle contained a CNG cylinder which could have endangered nearby residents and commuters had it exploded.