“Strict action will be taken”: Gujarat Home Minister says 27 arrested in stone pelting incident at Surat Ganesh pandal

Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 9 (ANI): Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi on Monday said that 27 individuals have been arrested for allegedly instigating the stone-pelting incident in the Sayedpura area of Surat.

He further said that CCTV footage from the area had been reviewed to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.

“As I promised, we have caught the stone-pelters before sunrise! 6:30 am #Surat Update Here are the details: 27 stone-pelters arrested, CCTV, video visuals, drone visuals, and other technical surveillance work is still ongoing. Strict action will be taken against all accused. Our teams have worked whole night and yet to identify the stone-pelters and bring them to justice. Jai Ganesh!!” Gujarat Home Minister posted on X.

Earlier today, Harsh Sanghvi visited the spot in the Sayedpura area of Surat where an incident of stone pelting on Ganesh Pandal took place.

“The investigation is underway. Police are deployed in all the areas of Surat. Those who will breach the peace in the state, action will be taken against them,” he said.

Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said that after stones were pelted at a Ganesh pandal, a clash broke out in the Sayedpura area of Surat.

“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. Lathi charge 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,” the Surat Police Commissioner said.

Upon receiving an alert about the incident, heavy police force reached the spot to bring the situation under control.