Four people were arrested on Monday, 30 July, for allegedly setting vehicles ablaze and stealing ornaments from a house while demonstrating against the elopement of an interfaith couple, in Dahod district of Gujarat.
Speaking to The Quint, Police Sub Inspector of Sanjeli Police Station, Suresh Bariya said, “17-year-old Parth Bhoi fell in love with Mariya (30), daughter of Razaaq Pandi who lives around the block. The couple eloped on 29 June, which enraged Mariya’s family. On Saturday, 28 July, after reading namaaz, the girl’s family surrounded Prakash Bhoi’s home (Parth’s uncle) and demanded that they return their daughter.”
As the crowd swelled, Prakash Bhoi and his wife moved to the first floor of the house and locked themselves inside the room.
The agitated mob burned a Bolero pick-up truck parked outside the home; its flames also charred a moped parked close by.
Meanwhile, the mob of 60-70 people armed with sticks and sharp weapons broke into Bhoi’s home, vandalised the ground floor and stole gold jewellery worth Rs 45,000.
Previously, the woman's family had also staged a hunger strike outside the Sanjeli police station on 22 July and had called it off only after officials assured them that their demands would be looked into, the PSI added.
A complaint has been lodged and a FIR has been filed against 36 unidentified persons on charges of rioting, dacoity, arson and criminal conspiracy. Four have been arrested so far, including two women and the girl’s father Razaaq Pandi.
According to Bariya, Riot Control Police were immediately deployed in the area over the weekend. The situation in Sanjeli Village has normalised and is now under control.
Dahod Superintendent of Police Hitesh Joysar said the entire area was under vigilance and efforts were on to trace the couple.
"We have taken prompt action to maintain peace in the area. Our operation is on to nab the remaining accused. We have also formed various teams to find the couple," Joysar said.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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