Haryana violence: In Sohna, mobs break past police line, toss gas cylinders into house

GURGAON: Hours into communal violence that broke out in Nuh, mobs went on the rampage for over an hour at Sohna Chowk in the city on Monday, breaking through a police line to pelt stones at houses and shops, and torching vehicles that came in their way.

Police said the mob’s fury was fed by online posts and social media rumours about the clashes that erupted while a religious procession was passing through Nuh.

Eyewitnesses told TOI that the mob gathered late afternoon on Monday on Gurgaon-Nuh Road, where some youngsters who were part of the crowd started chasing some daily-wagers from another community who were pulling carts.

By 6pm, the mob had reached Sohna Chowk, where they pelted stones at some 20-25 people standing on the terrace of a house, belonging to a person from a different community, located near the intersection. Those on the terrace retaliated. Though cops had formed a human chain, the crowd broke past the line and started setting fire to taxis parked nearby.

Emboldened, some people from the crowd brought three LPG cylinders and threw them inside the house, chanting slogans. The house was set on fire, prompting authorities to call for two fire brigades. Even as fire department officials were trying to douse the blaze, the cylinders exploded one by one, the intensity of the blasts ringing in the ears while the mob continued chanting slogans.

“We have never seen something like this. Youths from both sides threw stones at each other. I saw one youngster throwing three LPG cylinders in one house to kill all those who were inside,” said a resident of the area.

Police said no one was injured in the incident. After the blaze, the cops resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

Shekhar Kumar, an eyewitness who said he was associated with the protesting crowd, said the youngsters were angered by what had happened at the procession in Nuh. “Someone from the house pelted stones, injuring some from the crowd and some cops too. After this, the crowd decided to take charge,” he said.

Anil Kumar, a labourer, said he was forced to walk several kilometres from Sohna Road because most routes were blocked. “The situation at Sohna chowk was horrific. Shops were being set on fire and looted while cops just stood still,” he said.

Deepshika, a resident of Sohna, asked how police were caught off-guard when provocative comments were being made online for a day. “This situation could have been avoided. The cops and administration should have taken preventive measures,” she said.

Deputy commissioner of police (south) Siddhanth Jain was at the spot to monitor the situation on Monday. Around 300 cops were deployed at the site.

“We got information that some people are gathering near Sohna Chowk. We rushed there as soon as we could and tried to control the situation. Around five vehicles were torched. Our priority is to maintain law and order. Police will keep an eye round the clock,” the DCP said on Monday.

Asked about action against those who ran amok, the DCP said cops have captured videos from the site. “They will be arrested after being identified,” he said.