The community of Syedpura in Gujarat has been left in shock following a series of planned attacks on Ganesh pandals by a group of minor Muslim youths. According to an investigation by the local police, these young individuals were orchestrated by a gang leader who had been meticulously planning these attacks for three months. The aim was audaciously set to target 10 different Ganesh Pandals each day.

This disturbing sequence of events came to light when, on Saturday, September 8, the group attempted to vandalize the Ganesh statue at ‘Variali Cha Raja’. Although their attempt to hurl stones was thwarted, the persistence of their intent was clear. Following their failed attempt, on the next day, this gang of six minors brazenly attacked the Ganesh pandal in Syedpura, causing alarm and unrest among the local community.

Earlier incidents linked to this group include the hurling of water packets at a Ganesh pandal on September 6. Remarkably, the Hindu community showed restraint and did not retaliate against these provocations. Yet another attempt to disturb the peace occurred on Saturday, September 7, when the minors again tried to pelt stones at a pandal. Continuing their spree, on Sunday, they employed rickshaws to reach the site quickly and launched their attack.

The police are now deepening their investigation to not only capture the culprits but also determine the involvement of rickshaw pullers, who may have unknowingly or knowingly assisted in these attacks. The authorities are calling for calm and vigilance among the locals, as they work to ensure such incidents are curtailed and those responsible are brought to justice.

Stone pelting gang leader took 3 months of “madarsa training”

In a significant development, the police investigation into the Syedpura Ganesh pandal stone-pelting incident has unearthed that the gang leader, a minor Muslim youth, had undergone "madarsa training" for the past three months. This revelation has added a new dimension to the case, prompting authorities to probe deeper into the motivations behind the orchestrated attacks on religious festivities.

The background of the accused leader is marked by personal tragedy, with reports confirming that his father passed away a long time ago. The current focus of the investigation is to uncover the influences or directives that led these minors to engage in such disruptive activities. Authorities are keen on understanding whether there was any external encouragement or coercion involved in inciting these young individuals to act.

Simultaneously, the police are scrutinizing the activities of the involved madarsa, aiming to ascertain if there were any teachings or directives that could have influenced the behavior of the youths. In this regard, several Muslim leaders from the Syedpura community have been summoned for questioning. The objective is to gather a comprehensive understanding of the situation and to ensure that community leaders are involved in guiding the youth towards more peaceful engagements.

The sequence of events that unfolded was alarming: initially, the accused minors threw water packets at the Ganesh idol. This was followed by an attempted stone-pelting on Saturday, which did not succeed. However, undeterred, the group escalated their actions by successfully hurling stones at the idol on Sunday, September 8th.

“We arrived at the Ganesh pandal screaming Allahu Akbar”: Accused minor

The police have further detailed the sequence of events leading to the arrest of the accused Muslim minors involved in the stone-pelting at the Ganesh pandal in Variyali. According to the investigation, the minors were initially at a local mosque where they collected food and other items before heading out to execute their planned attack on the Ganesh pandal. Their actions quickly led to their apprehension as police forces intervened and transported them to the police station.

Following these incidents, communal tensions escalated sharply in the area. In response to an increasingly volatile situation, police resorted to using lathi charges and tear gas to manage and disperse a Muslim mob that had gathered. The conflict reached a critical point when it was discovered that individuals from four houses situated near a mosque were actively throwing stones at both Hindus and police officers on the scene. The attacks were intense enough to cause injuries to several police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

In the aftermath of this third instance of stone-pelting, a decisive police operation was launched across Syedpura. It was during this time that 27 Muslims reportedly turned off the lights in their homes and secured their premises from the outside, effectively locking in their 'local associates.' This prompted the police to conduct thorough searches based on the intelligence they had gathered. During these searches, they forcibly entered these homes by breaking the locks and escorted the accused away. A subsequent investigation into these homes revealed strategically placed stones, confirming suspicions that the attacks were not spontaneous but a premeditated conspiracy to incite violence.

‘Police will die if you hit them in the head with sticks’ – Muslim extremists

The situation in Syedpura has taken a grave turn, as detailed in recent police reports. The conflict began when Muslim minors targeted a Ganesh idol with stones, prompting a swift and intense reaction from local Hindus who apprehended the youths and brought them to the Syedpura Police Station. However, the tension did not subside; instead, it escalated as stone-pelting resumed, this time from homes surrounding the police station, targeting both the police and the Hindu locals.

Amidst the chaos, members of the Muslim mob were overheard strategizing amongst themselves, stating chillingly, "If you hit Lathis [sticks] in the head, the police will die." This explicit intention to cause lethal harm has added a severe dimension to the already volatile situation, prompting an urgent law enforcement response.

In the aftermath of these violent clashes, two FIRs (First Information Reports) were filed to address the separate incidents. One FIR was lodged against the Muslim minors responsible for the initial stone-pelting at the Ganesh idol, and a second was lodged against the individuals who engaged in stone-pelting from their homes. The charges filed include attempt to murder, rioting, and vandalism, reflecting the seriousness of the offenses. The Lalgate police took decisive action by arresting some of the accused on Sunday night, indicating a rapid and focused law enforcement effort to restore order and ensure the safety of the community.

All the accused involved in pelting stones at Hindus and the police are Muslims

In a recent surge of communal violence in Surat, all individuals identified and accused of pelting stones at Hindus and police officers have been confirmed as Muslims. This has been revealed following a sequence of events that began with a minor group engaging in stone pelting, leading to their subsequent apprehension and the registration of a criminal case against them. Due to their minor status, the identities of these individuals remain protected under legal confidentiality.

However, the situation escalated when, after the initial confrontation, further instances of stone pelting occurred twice more. In these subsequent attacks, the names of 26 individuals were disclosed, all of whom are Muslims. The local authorities are now proceeding with legal actions against these accused, signaling a swift and firm response to the unrest.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghvi, made a significant and symbolic gesture by visiting the affected site late at night. At the Ganesh pandal, which had been targeted during the attacks, he performed an aarti at midnight. During this solemn occasion, he assured the community that justice would be served promptly, vowing that all involved in the disturbances would be apprehended before dawn. True to his word, the BJP leader oversaw the swift arrest of all named accused, fulfilling his commitment to restoring peace and order to the area.