22 held for attacking policemen at Nanded

Mumbai, March 30

The police arrested 22 persons in connection with an attack on policemen by a mob of sword- wielding men in Nanded after they were denied permission to hold a public procession due to the Covid pandemic, an official said on Tuesday.

The Wazirabad police in Maharashtra’s Nanded district have registered three FIRs against 74 people (who have been named in the FIRs) and other unidentified persons in connection with Monday’s incident at the Sri Hazur Sahib gurdwara, he said.

A viral video showed the sword-wielding mob barging out of the gurdwara, breaking the barricades put up by police and attacking the policemen.

Seven cops were injured and eight vehicles were damaged in the violence. The condition of one of the injured policemen was serious, the official said. The police were also trying to ascertain if anyone from the gurdwara committee had any role in the incident, he said. “We have arrested 22 persons till now on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and under provisions of the Arms Act and other sections. Around 74 people have been named in the FIR, while search is on for others,” DIG, Nanded Range, Nisar Tamboli said.

The official on Monday said permission for the Hola Mohalla public procession was not granted due to the pandemic. — PTI