Government lists measures taken for peaceful celebrations, HC expresses satisfaction

The HC was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) brought by Azajkhan Hamidkhan Pathan, former Youth Chairman of AIMIM’s Gujarat unit, seeking strict security arrangements to prevent communal incidents. The allegation cited alleged police inaction in recent incidents of communal clashes in Vadodara at Ram Navami and hate speech in Una.

In response to the PIL through an affidavit, SP (Law and Order) Dipakkumar Meghani told HC that “the law and order situation, including the communal situation in the state, is absolutely under control” and that “Over the past decade-plus” the state has “generally remained quite peaceful on the communal front.”

“Even during 2020-23, there has been no significant increase in communal elements, hate mongers, and potential rioters,” the affidavit added.

It added that there had been seven major communal disturbances during 2018-23. Meghani said local police quickly moved in to take control of the situation, localize the violence and prevent it from taking the form of a large communal riot.

In the case of the incidents that took place in Vadodara and Una during Ram Navami earlier this month, Meghani noted that while security arrangements were being made, certain criminal elements engaged in raising slogans and throwing stones.

According to the police, although four criminal cases were registered and 67 people arrested by the Fatehpura police station in connection with the Vadodara incidents, two criminal cases were registered and 97 people were arrested in connection with the Una incidents in Gir Somnath district. .

“At this time, the situation is under control and confidence-building measures have been taken to restore normality to the area,” the affidavit added.

Regarding the communal incidents in Khambhat and Himmatnagar in Ram Navami last April, the affidavit said that the local police had taken security measures, but “certain criminal elements engaged in shouting slogans, throwing stones and setting fires” after whereupon the state police deployed additional contingents from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) “to quell the violence quickly”. While four criminal cases were registered and 185 people arrested in connection with the Himmatnagar incidents, two criminal cases were registered and 93 people arrested in Khambhat.

Assuring the court by acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav that proper security arrangements have been made for Saturday, government lawyer Manisha Lavkumar told HC that state authorities are deploying not only local police , but also receiving help from the SRPF. She added that CCTV cameras have also been installed at various locations.

Lavkumar further said that gathering places have been designated and social platforms are being monitored with the help of police stations against cybercrime. In addition, he said that body cameras would be issued to additional officers and cameramen employed at police stations in areas where such festivals are held.

Lavkumar also assured the court that the authorities will be vigilant when processions take place.

To ensure peace on Saturday, when Eid and Parshuram Jayanti will be celebrated, the state said authorities have identified sensitive locations and will deploy SRPF contingents. It would also take other steps such as coordinating with local leaders and identifying gathering places and procession routes common to both festivals. In addition, the HC was told that drone cameras and videographers will be used to carry out a pre-inspection of the gathering places and procession routes.

Expressing satisfaction with the steps listed by the state, the HC said: “Considering the affidavit, we are satisfied with the action taken by the state authorities. However, we are sure that the state authorities will continue to issue similar instructions… (in the case of) all those festivals.” He continued to set up the PIL.