An on-duty woman police officer was allegedly molested by a group of rioters who were present during the communal violence in Nagpur which broke out days ago, an FIR registered at the Ganeshpeth Police Station revealed.
Additionally, the report also noted that the group of rioters were seen shouting provocative slogans aimed at inciting communal tension in the area. A total of 51 people have been named in the FIR.
The FIR, accessed by media on Wednesday, detailed how the accused pulled at the woman officer's uniform and attempted to touch her inappropriately. The officer, part of the Rapid Control Police (RCP) squad deployed at the scene, immediately reported the incident to senior officials. Following her complaint, a formal case was filed against the miscreants involved.
In addition to the molestation charges, the complaint also claimed that the accused misbehaved with other women police personnel present at the site. The mob allegedly made obscene gestures and passed lewd comments, attempting to intimidate the officers on duty.
Violence broke out in central Nagpur's Chitnis Park, Mahal area, on Monday after rumours spread that a community's holy book had been desecrated during a protest by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The situation quickly spiralled as stones were pelted at the police, leaving 34 personnel injured.
A senior official informed that 12 policemen, including three District Commissioners of Police (DCPs), were injured in the violence on Monday night. About 50 persons have been arrested in connection with the stone pelting and arson so far.
Moreover, cases have also been registered against some office-bearers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest. The law and order situation in Nagpur is under control, but a curfew continues in many sensitive areas of the city, a senior official said on Wednesday.
Over 2,000 armed police personnel have been deployed in the sensitive areas. Similarly, the Quick Response Team (QRT) and Riot Control Police (RCP) are conducting patrolling led by a DCP-rank officer.
Source: India Today