Protests over social media post in Madhya Pradesh turn violent, police resort to lathicharge

INDORE: Tension erupted in Khandwa on Thursday night after a controversial social media post about a religious cleric triggered protests outside Moghat Road police station. The situation escalated when members of the Muslim community gathered in large numbers demanding action against the person who allegedly made the objectionable remark.

Khandwa DIG Siddharth Bahuguna said, "A condemnable post about a religious cleric was made on social media which triggered large scale protest outside Moghat police station on Thursday night. Moghat police had already registered a case against the accused and arrested him but the protestors kept raising slogans and agitating," he said.

Officers attempted to calm the crowd and assure them that a case had already been registered in connection with the social media post.

During the confrontation, some members of the crowd allegedly pushed police officers and even grabbed the collar of Moghat Road police station in-charge Dhiresh Dharwal. The situation quickly spiralled into chaos, forcing police to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the gathering and restore order.

Amid the commotion, a young woman present in the crowd was allegedly assaulted by several youths. Police said eight to ten men reportedly misbehaved with her and slapped her repeatedly, leaving her with injuries on the head and swelling on her face. "They tried to stop the woman and assaulted her. On her complaint, a case was registered against over a dozen men," said DIG.

Senior officers rushed to the spot after receiving information about the disturbance. CSP Abhinav Barange reached the area and additional forces were deployed from the control room and police lines to prevent the situation from worsening. Police also carried out patrolling in the area as a precautionary measure.

Several people were detained during the operation and police said the identities of those involved in the unrest are being verified. "A case of rioting and deterring public servant from discharge of his duties and violence against woman has been registered against named accused," said DIG Bahuguna. Action will be taken against individuals who attempted to disturb law and order.

Authorities have appealed to residents not to pay attention to rumours and assured that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible for spreading provocative content or creating public disorder.