Gujarat: Surat Police arrest 33 after stone-pelting by 6 minors at Ganesh pandal sparks communal tensions

Tensions flared in Gujarat’s Surat after a group of minors reportedly threw stones at a Ganesh pandal on Sunday evening. The police have arrested 6 minors and 27 other people who were involved in encouraging the stone-pelting incident.

Speaking to ANI, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said, "In the Sayedpura area of Surat, 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh Pandal...All these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such an incident... The investigation is underway. Police are deployed in all the areas of Surat. Those who will breach the peace in the state, action will be taken against them."

Speaking on the incident, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot told ANI, "Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal, after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from there...Police were immediately deployed in the area. Lathi charge was done in all the areas where it was needed and tear gas was used...All the accused who were involved in the peace disturbance are being arrested. There are around 1,000 police personnel deployed all around. And the public is also here."

More details into the matter are awaited.