Gujarat: police beat men for allegedly throwing stones at garba event

A group of Muslim were beaten with sticks by policemen in Gujarat's Kheda district for allegedly pelting stones at a garba event.

The police said that the group had objected to holding of the programme near a mosque and had attacked the garba participants on Monday night.

According to the police, seven persons, including a policeman, were injured in the attack.

Video clips of the incident purportedly showed three persons arrested for allegedly pelting stones being brought out of a police van near the event's venue.

They were then taken towards an electric pole and held against it by a policeman who pulled their hands. Another policeman is seen hitting them below the waist with a baton.

The images showed the alleged attackers apologised to the public gathered at the spot with folded hands after policemen asked them to do so. People present in a large number at the site cheered the police action.

Police have arrested 13 persons so far after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Matar police station, said Deputy Superintendent of Police V R Bajpai.

Violence was also reported at a garba event in Gujarat's Surat.

According to news reports, a group armed with wooden sticks barged into the venue and attacked 5 of the bouncers on duty on Monday night. Two of the bouncers were injured and hospitalised, while others escaped.

According to an Indian Express report quoting a Bajrang Dal worker, a group had gone to event to oppose posting of Muslim bouncers at the garba venue. A scuffle broke out after the Bajrang Dal workers asked the Muslim bouncers to leave.

(with PTI inputs)