The Hunt is On! Nagpur Police Form 18 Special Teams to Hunt Down Violence Culprits

In response to the violent unrest that rocked Nagpur on Monday, Maharashtra police have mobilized 18 special teams to apprehend those responsible, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The city remains under a curfew for the third consecutive day as investigations intensify.

So far, 69 individuals have been arrested in connection with the riots, which saw mobs damage vehicles, hurl petrol bombs, and attack police personnel. A senior official revealed that 200 suspects have been identified through five First Information Reports (FIRs) filed at Ganeshpeth and Kotwali police stations, with efforts underway to pinpoint another 1,000 individuals captured in CCTV footage from the chaotic scenes.

Nagpur Commissioner of Police Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal announced on Wednesday that the special teams comprise officers from Ganeshpeth, Kotwali, and Tehsil police stations, alongside Crime Branch personnel. These units are collaborating with the cyber cell to accelerate suspect identification, leveraging video evidence to build their case.

Among those detained is Fahim Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), accused of orchestrating a protest outside Ganeshpeth police station on Monday. According to the FIR, Khan led a group of 50 to 60 people who gathered unlawfully and submitted a memorandum opposing an earlier Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demonstration. Later, he allegedly joined eight others in Bhaldarpura, where a crowd of 500 to 600 from a minority community had assembled near Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. Khan’s arrest followed shortly after. Police records also note his prior involvement in cases like electricity theft and a 2023-2024 protest. When pressed on whether Khan masterminded the violence, Singal emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of his and others’ roles.

The unrest, which injured 33 police officers—including three Deputy Commissioners—erupted after rumors spread that a ‘chadar’ bearing holy inscriptions was burned during a VHP protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The violence escalated with stone-pelting, arson, and assaults on homes. Disturbingly, one FIR alleges that rioters misbehaved with a female constable, attempting to disrobe her amid the chaos.

As the special teams scour the city for culprits, authorities are determined to restore order and hold all perpetrators accountable, relying heavily on technological aids and coordinated efforts to piece together the events of Monday night.