Illegal dargah demolition: Major clash in Nasik over illegal dargah demolition: 31 cops injured, 15 detained after stone-pelting

A massive clash broke out in Maharashtra's Nasik district as authorities began demolishing an illegal dargah in the Kachchegali area. The action, initiated jointly by the police and the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), faced violent resistance from locals, who pelted stones at officials during the late-night operation.The dargah had earlier been served multiple notices for encroachment, with the latest one pasted on April 1 after the Bombay High Court ruled the structure unauthorized. Despite being given a 15-day window to voluntarily remove the construction, the trust failed to comply, prompting the NMC to take action under heavy police protection.As the demolition team arrived, a large crowd gathered and launched a stone-pelting attack, injuring 31 police personnel, including one officer who suffered a serious leg fracture. In response, police used tear gas shells to disperse the mob and regain control of the area.Authorities detained 15 individuals involved in the violence and seized 56 motorcycles, most of which reportedly belonged to people from outside the locality. Preliminary investigations suggest that outsiders were brought in to escalate the confrontation.While the demolition of the unauthorized religious structure has now been completed, a strong police presence remains in the area to prevent further unrest. The administration has emphasized that the action followed proper legal procedure, including a High Court directive, and was not intended to hurt religious sentiments.

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