The situation in Akola is peaceful now and completely under control: Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis claimed some persons were deliberately instigating Akola clashes in a bid to “destabilise“ Maharashtra

Stating that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government would not let anyone foment riots in Maharashtra, State Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking on Monday in the wake of clashes in Akola and Ahmednagar districts, claimed some persons were deliberately instigating such clashes in a bid to “destabilise“ the State.

Speaking in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mr. Fadnavis further informed that the clashes which occurred between two communities in Akola city late Saturday were fully under control, as was the situation in Ahmednagar.

Also read: Riot in Akola was possibly pre-planned: Maharashtra Minister

“Somebody is deliberately trying to instigate clashes and destroy law and order in the State but the police were on full alert. There are some organisations and people who are trying to destabilise the state, but the government will teach them a lesson. To some extent, these riots are politically motivated. The situation in Akola is peaceful now and completely under control,” said the Deputy CM.

Mr. Fadnavis warned that those instigating riots would be exposed and the government will not let them succeed in their nefarious designs.

One person was killed in the Akola violence and ten others, including two policemen, were injured in the melee that erupted on Saturday night. The fracas between two groups of different communities was over a religious social media post on Instagram, which hurt the sentiments of one community.

Members of the two groups indulged in stone pelting and vandalism, with rioters setting fire to some two-wheelers and four-wheelers during the violence that broke out in the communally sensitive Old City area of Akola.