Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday reiterated that there was no communal angle to the mob-lynching episode in Palghar last week.
In his social media address, he said the killings were the result of rumours being spread about thieves roaming the area.
While warning of strict action against people spreading fake news and rumours on the incident, the Chief Minister said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on this.
“Amitji knows there is no communal angle here. I told him we must search for all those fanning hatred on social media,” Mr. Thackeray said, adding that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too had called him.
He warned those trying to inflame passions to desist.
“There is no Hindu-Muslim angle or communalism in this attack. Two policemen were suspended immediately. The CID Crime will inquire into this incident and DGP Atul Kulkarni will lead the probe,” he added.
“Mob lynchings have taken place in other States too in the last five years. I don’t want to play politics here. This is shameful and must not happen. This is not our culture,” Mr. Thackeray said.
The Chief Minister said that the incident took place around 110 km from Palghar on the Dadra Nagar Haveli border. He said that the victims, from Kandivali, were travelling to Gujarat through an inside route in the remote area, as there were traffic curbs on the main roads.
They had earlier been stopped at the Mumbai-Gujarat border and asked to go back.
“They were stopped at Gadchinchli village in the remote area, due to a misunderstanding following rumours that thieves were moving around in the area,” he added.
The incident could have been prevented, Mr. Thackeray said, if the victims had been detained at the border for the night.
“After the incident, over 100 people have been detained and five arrested. Nine minors have been sent to remand homes and a hunt is on for others involved. The government will not spare anyone,” he said.
