How politicians reacted to riots in Aurangabad
Aurangabad has been on the boil since two people lost their life and 50 more were injured in violent clashes that erupted across the city on Friday. The clashes, which saw members from two communities reportedly pelt stones at each other, were triggered after the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation carried out a drive against illegal water connections in the old city area on Friday.
During the drive, certain media reports suggest, water supply to a mosque was cut off, which led to violence breaking out in the city.
According to an IANS report, there were two rounds of violence, one on Friday evening with another following on Saturday. However, the authorities imposed section 144 in the city along with blocking internet services, which helped bring the situation under control.
Though seemingly calm on the surface, tensions are simmering in the city. Many politicians and public figures have taken to Twitter to make their thoughts known about the violence.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, has asked the authorities to take stringent action in the matter and restore calm in the city. Owaisi, who is a member of Parliament from Hyderabad, also took shots at Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to order a probe into the riots.
Communal Riot Aurangabad,shops have burned ,report of death 1 person due to police firing shops near Shahganj Masjid,Angori Bagh ,Nawabpura damaged @CMOMaharashtra should order a probe especially the role Racchu PAHELWAN ,send additional forces Peace must prevail @imtiaz_jaleel
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 12, 2018
In another tweet he promised support to the ones who suffered loss of property in the clashes, while also ensuring them adequate legal help.
I have requested Advocate Khizar Patel to ensure that people whose shops are burned/damaged must give a complaint to concerned PS & get FIR registered ,MIM party Will inshallah provide Aid & relief through its MIM relief Trust but request people to maintain peace
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 12, 2018
On a day that has been largely dominated by news coming in from Karnataka, another politician who spoke on the issue was Congress' Mumbai unit chief, Sanjay Nirupam. Taking to Twitter, he expressed regret over the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Maharashtra and laid the blame on the CM's door, lambasting him for failing in his duties as the state's home minister.
Law & order in #Maharashtra getting deteriorated everyday.Ahmadnagar boiled recently by political murders.Neighbouring district #Aurangabad is burning today in deadly communal violence.CM @Dev_Fadnavis as home min is failed in checking violence.State needs a full time HM now.
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) May 12, 2018
The Congress party's Mumbai unit shared Nirupam's tweet from its official Twitter handle.
Mumbai Congress President @sanjaynirupam has slammed CM @Dev_Fadnavis who failed to check violence in the State as Home Minister after #Aurangabad clash broke out today."Maharashtra needs a full time Home Minister" - he said pic.twitter.com/uVOxPSX202
— MumbaiCongress (@INCMumbai) May 12, 2018
These political comments at such a time will no doubt add fuel to the already sensitive situation in the city. The BJP government in Maharashtra has deployed units of the state reserve police force and the Indian Reserve Battalion, besides rushing forces to Aurangabad from neighbouring Beed and Jalna to maintain peace.
The Aurangabad city police has also issued an advisory on its Twitter handle, asking people not to believe in rumors spread on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp.
— AurangabadCityPolice (@AbadCityPolice) May 12, 2018