Stone-Pelting at Ganesh Pandal in Surat sparks protests, 33 arrested

Surat ,September 9 2024 : Tensions flared in Surat, Gujarat, after a stone-pelting incident at a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area on Sunday evening. The situation led to protests and the subsequent arrest of over 30 individuals, as confirmed by authorities. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi stated that six people directly involved in the stone-pelting and 27 others accused of encouraging the act have been arrested. The incident has triggered a significant response from the police to maintain law and order. According to Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, a group of children initiated the stone-pelting, leading to a clash between two groups. The police swiftly intervened, removing the children from the scene and deploying a heavy police force to control the situation. “Lathi charge was carried out where necessary, and tear gas was used to disperse the crowd,” Gehlot said. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed across Surat to prevent further disturbances.

Home Minister Sanghvi, who visited the site to assess the situation, assured the public that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the unrest. “In the Sayedpura area, six people pelted stones at the Ganesh pandal, and all of them have been arrested, along with 27 others who encouraged the incident,” Sanghvi said. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that the police presence will remain strong in all parts of Surat to ensure peace is restored. The stone-pelting incident during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations has heightened tensions in the area, prompting authorities to take quick measures to de-escalate the situation. Sanghvi reiterated that anyone found disrupting public peace would face serious consequences.

Meanwhile, a similar incident of stone-pelting was reported during a Ganesh idol procession in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Police have registered a case against an unidentified individual, and security has been tightened in the region to prevent further violence. With increased police deployment and ongoing investigations, authorities are working to restore calm in both Surat and Ratlam.