Tension in Khandwa after social media post triggers protest

Indore: Tension erupted in Khandwa on Thursday night after a controversial social media post about a cleric triggered protests outside Moghat Road police station.Moghat police registered a case and arrested the accused, but the situation escalated when members of Muslim community gathered in large numbers, demanding the arrested person, who allegedly made the objectionable remark, be produced in front of them."A condemnable post about a religious cleric was made on social media, which triggered a 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 agitating and raising slogans," Khandwa DIG Siddharth Bahuguna said.Officers attempted to calm the crowd and assured them that a case was already registered in connection with the social media post. During the confrontation, some protesters allegedly pushed police officers and even grabbed collar of Moghat Road police station in-charge Dhiresh Dharwal. The situation quickly spiralled into chaos, forcing police to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.Amid the commotion, a young woman present in the crowd was allegedly assaulted by several youths. Police said eight to 10 men reportedly misbehaved with her and slapped her, leaving her with injuries on head and swelling in face. "They tried to stop the woman and assaulted her. On her complaint, a case was registered against the accused," DIG said.SP Manoj Rai said that additional forces were deployed to prevent the situation from escalating. Police also carried out patrolling in the area as a precautionary measure."Three persons were arrested, produced before the court and sent to jail," Rai said. Several people were detained during the operation, and police said the identities of those involved in the unrest are being verified."Three different cases were registered. In the first incident, a case was registered against Prabhakar Shinde for making an objectionable post on social media aimed at hurting religious sentiments. The second was registered against the group for rioting, deterring a public servant from discharging his duties, and the third was for violence against a woman. Over 20 people are named in the three cases, of which three were arrested," the SP said.Authorities 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.