Surat simmers as locals clash over stone pelting by minors at Ganesh pandal, 33 arrested

Tension erupted in Surat’s Sayedpura area early on Monday morning after a group of minors hurled stones at a pandal set up for Ganesh Chaturthi. The incident triggered clashes among the locals and prompted police action.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 2:30 am. Thousands of residents gathered at the Sayedpura police station, demanding action against those who attacked the Hindu pandal. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed that six individuals involved in the stone-pelting were arrested, along with 27 people who were allegedly involved in encouraging the act. The police are continuing their investigation, and security has been heightened across Surat.

Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Gehlot reported that the situation escalated quickly into a clash, prompting police to deploy a large force in the area. Officers resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the mob and restore order. He assured that around 1,000 police personnel have been stationed in the area to maintain peace and thwart any further disturbances.

"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. Lathicharge 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," Gehlot told news agency ANI.  

In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Sanghvi and local BJP legislator Kanti Balar visited the area to address the community. Sanghvi emphasised that the police acted swiftly, using CCTV footage and other surveillance methods to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. He confirmed that all stone-pelters had been arrested by sunrise and promised that strict action would be taken against those involved.