37 arrested in Pirana incident

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Rural Police have arrested 37 persons in connection with a clash that broke out between two groups after the Pirana shrine of Imamshah Bawa and his family members were allegedly flattened by a faction of trustees. During the clash that occurred on Tuesday night, members of two communities pelted each other with stones, resulting in injuries to four persons. The Pirana shrine of Imamshah Bawa, on the outskirts of the city, had been a symbol of Hindu-Muslim amity.

Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police, Omprakash Jat, said, "So far, 37 persons have been arrested, and some arrests will be made tonight. Those arrested are from both communities. Due to some differences, one of the trustees razed to the ground the graves of Sufi saint Imamshah Bawa and his family members at the Pirana shrine on Tuesday night, leading to members of two communities hurling stones at each other." The 37 arrested were charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to attempt to murder, rioting, and damage to public property, among others, he said. The police carried out patrolling in the area, and the situation was brought under control.

The differences among the trustees on religious lines started becoming apparent over the last few decades, with the Muslim members of the trust registering complaints with the district collectorate and the police time and again. They have even approached the Gujarat High Court on certain occasions.