The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Uddhav Thackeray declared that the mob lynching incident on Thursday at Phalgarh has nothing to do with the religious differences. He said that a few people are trying to spread hatred in Social Media.
The CM had warned to take strict action against people spreading fake news and rumors.
The CM was called by the Home Minister Shri. Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Shri. Yogi Adityanathh after this issue. He made it clear that it was not a communal activity, but a result of misunderstandings in the place.
On Thursday, three men- two sadhus and a driver were trying to get to Gujarat. They set out to attend a funeral in Surat. But because of the restrictions imposed due to lockdown, they were stopped by the Police at the Mumbai-Gujarat border and were asked to return.
Instead, they opted for internal routes, avoiding main roads to reach the destination. But again, they were stopped at the border of Dadra Nagar Haweli and asked to go back.
On their way back, when they arrived at Gadchinchle, a group of about 100 villagers attacked them with stones, axes, and logs. Unfortunately, the 3 of them were killed in the incident.
The incident took place in a tribal village about 110km from Palghar, but it was in the Palghar district of Maharashtra.
The CM informed that there were rumors about thieves in that area. So, the villager’s action was a result of mistaking them for thieves, child kidnappers, and organ harvesters, as they said.
More than 100 accused were detained, 5 main were arrested and 9 young men were sent to remand homes. They would remain in Police custody till April 30.
He said Some people are trying to fan hatred in Social Media. There is no Hindi-Muslim or communalism angle in the incident. It was the result of a mere misunderstanding. 2 Policemen were suspended and CBI employed to look into the issue.
“There have been mob lynching incidents earlier in 5 other states. I am not trying to bring Politics here. This is shameful to happen here. This is not our culture.”
He also commented on the inefficiency of the authorities at Dadra Nagar Haweli. Only if they had had the humanity to let the sadhus stay with them for the night, this incident wouldn’t have happened.
