Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the cost of property damage caused during the recent Nagpur violence will be recovered from those responsible. Failure to pay will result in the seizure and auctioning of their properties to compensate for losses. Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis stated that 104 rioters have been identified through video footage and CCTV analysis, with legal action already taken against 92 individuals, including 12 minors.
He assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nagpur will not be affected by the unrest that occurred in central parts of the city on Monday. Fadnavis, who also heads the Home Ministry, issued a stern warning: “Strict action will be taken against those who attacked police personnel. My government will not rest until these elements are identified and punished.”
When asked about potential foreign involvement, he said it was premature to comment on any Bangladeshi or external hand in the riots, as investigations are ongoing. Clarifying media reports, Fadnavis said female police constables were pelted with stones, but there were no incidents of molestation. He also dismissed any political angle to the violence, while admitting that although it wasn’t an intelligence failure, intelligence gathering “could have been better.”
The CM’s firm stance signals that Maharashtra will not tolerate lawlessness, and the consequences for those involved in the Nagpur violence will be severe and unavoidable.
