The Gujarat police arrested over 150 Gujarati locals in a week-long time in the wake of increasing violence incidences against migrants of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The incidences of violent attacks on non-Gujaratis erupted subsequently after the arrest of a Bihar native for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28, said a police officer on Friday.
As per the PTI reports, Director General of Police Shivananda Jha said such attacks have taken place in Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Patan and Ahmedabad districts in the past week and 150 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents. The attacks started after hate messages against non-Gugaratis started to circulate on social media.
“As many as 18 FIRs have been registered in several districts of Gujarat following the attacks. We have also arrested 150 persons. We will not allow such activities at any cost. We have instructed local police to increase vigil at factories and (housing) societies having a good number of non-Gujaratis. We are also keeping a watch on social media messages,” said DGP Shivananda Jha.
According to reports, a 14-month-old girl belonging to Thakor community was allegedly raped in a village near Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district around 100 km from Ahmedabad. The police arrested a labour of local ceramic factory that originally belonged to Bihar under the charges of rape.
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Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who heads the Kshatriya Thakor Sena came forward to appeal to his community and members of his organisations to stop the attack on migrant people.
“Non-Gujaratis are on our target. I have called a meeting of all the office bearers of the Thakor Sena to discuss this issue. Migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are our brothers and protecting them is also our responsibility. I will ask the Thakor Sena to stop such attacks,” said the Kshatriya Thakor Sena chief, Alpesh Thakor.
