Mhow: Violence during celebration of India's victory in Champions Trophy, houses and shops burnt; Army took over

There was a ruckus in the procession taken out after the victory of Team India in the Champions Trophy. Violence broke out in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday night to such an extent that even the administration was surprised. Hundreds of people set shops and vehicles on fire. Petrol bombs were also thrown at many places. To control the situation, the police had to resort to lathi-charge and tear gas shells. Even after this, when the situation did not improve, the army personnel took over. After about two and a half hours of effort, the situation was brought under control. The main markets opened on Monday morning but the areas where houses and shops were burnt are still closed. People are hiding in their homes and there is still panic in many areas. There is police on every nook and corner in Mhow and the army is keeping an eye on every movement. Five to six people are reported to have been injured in this violence. According to Collector Ashish Singh, the situation is under control, and the accused are being identified.

13 arrested, police identifying the accused

MLA Usha Thakur said that 13 people have been arrested, and all the accused are being identified. Every person who spreads violence will be arrested. Usha Thakur said that there was no rally in the areas where people's houses and shops were burnt. People were sleeping and the attack was done in a planned manner. It is a matter of thought that how the whole of Mhow was burnt in a few minutes. All this was planned. No culprit will be spared.

This is how the situation kept deteriorating...

1. Violence erupted over sloganeering

The incident happened around 10 pm on Sunday. After India's victory, more than 100 people were taking out a procession on more than 40 bikes. During this time people were raising religious slogans. It is being claimed that when this procession reached near Jama Masjid, a dispute started over religious slogans and fireworks. Some people from the other side stopped five people walking behind and started beating them.

2. Five injured, many shops burnt

As soon as the people walking ahead got the news of this fight, they started throwing stones. After this, people from the other side also pelted stones in retaliation. The dispute escalated in no time. Some bike riders went to Patti Bazar, some to Kotwali and the rest to other areas. Meanwhile, angry people started pelting stones in Patti Bazar area as well. Vehicles parked outside houses and shops were vandalized. Many houses were set on fire.

3. Collector and DIG kept roaming on the streets

When the ruckus increased, police force from four nearby police stations was called to Mhow. More than 300 policemen were deployed to control the situation. Collector Ashish Singh and DIG Nimish Agarwal reached Mhow at around 1.30 am. They took stock of the situation by walking in the city. Officers kept roaming on the streets throughout the night.

4. The army had to be called when the situation worsened

When the situation kept worsening, the army had to be called. A contingent of 8 army personnel, the Quick Response Team (QRT), was called.

5. Police are identifying the accused

Police are looking for CCTV footage of the accused who created the ruckus. Many videos have surfaced in which the rioters are seen pelting stones and indulging in arson. The police have not registered a case against anyone so far and have not arrested anyone. The accused are being searched and identified. More than 300 policemen and officers from 10 police stations have been deployed on the spot.

Panic still prevails in many areas.

The rioters set fire to more than 12 bikes parked in Patti Bazar, Market Chowk, Jama Masjid, Batkh Mohalla, and Dhanmandi. Apart from this, two cars were vandalized and set on fire. Arson was committed in the house of Press Club President Radhelal in the Patti Bazar area. A shop was set on fire in Batkh Mohalla. The fire was set outside two shops in Market Chowk. To control the situation, the police lathi charged in Patti Bazar and Manak Chowk area. Along with this, tear gas shells were fired. The situation became normal around 1 am. There is panic in many areas on Monday morning as well and people are hiding in their homes.