A curfew has been enforced in several parts of Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on Monday. The unrest began after rumors spread that a holy book had been damaged during a protest demanding the removal of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad.

Ravinder Singhal, Police Commissioner of Nagpur, imposed the curfew on Monday night under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This section allows authorities to issue orders in urgent situations to prevent danger or unrest. The police announced that the restrictions would stay in place until further notice.

Which areas are affected?

The curfew is in effect in the following police station areas:

  • Kotwali

  • Ganeshpeth

  • Tehsil

  • Lakadganj

  • Pachpavli

  • Shantinagar

  • Sakkardara

  • Nandanvan

  • Imamwada

  • Yashodharanagar

  • Kapilnagar

The order bans people from stepping out of their homes, except for medical emergencies. It also restricts gatherings of more than five people and prohibits the spread of rumors. Those violating the order will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with disobedience to orders from public officials.

What sparked the violence?

The unrest began after over 200 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal held a protest near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Nagpur. They were demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb and reportedly burned an effigy of the Mughal emperor. However, rumors spread on social media that a holy book was damaged during the protest, which triggered the violence.

In response, a group of 80–100 people gathered unlawfully and began throwing stones at the police. The police used tear gas and lathi charges to control the crowd in Chitnis Park and Mahal as the violence spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth.

Four policemen were injured in the clashes, and several vehicles were set on fire during the violence.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, and Union Minister and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari have appealed to the public to stay calm and maintain peace.

The curfew order does not apply to police personnel, government officials, essential service providers, fire brigade personnel, and students appearing for exams.

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