Over 100 held for Vadodara violence

Five days after the simmering communal tension in Vadodara led to incidents of arson, vandalism and assault, the police have arrested over a hundred people on the charge of rioting in various parts of the city.

There was some let-up in violence on Monday. No fresh incident was reported till evening.

In all, 115 people have been arrested in areas under the jurisdiction of Panigate, City and Navapura police stations since the trouble began on Thursday last. More arrests are expected.

“Most of the incidents took place either due to misunderstanding or rumour-mongering,” S.K. Nanda, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, told

The Hindu . He denied reports that the police did not heed Intelligence alerts.

Ironically, Sunil Rahilji, a coaching class teacher whose Facebook post started the trouble, told the police that his intention was to spread the message of communal harmony. The photo he uploaded on the social networking site depicted two religions.

However, updates circulated on WhatsApp spread like wildfire, and set off a series of stone pelting, arson and stabbing incidents. As violence continued unabated, police forced suspension of data and mobile texting services in the city.

Yet, on Sunday, a tea vendor and a pedestrian were stabbed in Kaladarshan and Gajrawadi areas and stone throwing was reported in the Memon area. Three cases were registered at the Panigate police station and 33 people from two communities were arrested.

Five companies of the State Reserve Police Force have been stationed in the affected areas. Five more are on standby.

“Tension still prevails in certain areas. People have complained of summary arrests. Many of the youths arrested are students. People are living in fear of arrests,” Vadodara-based activist Trupti Shah told The Hindu .

State Home department officials and top police officers visited Vadodara on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Senior officers who have served in Vadodara in the past have also been summoned here.