Maharashtra Akola Violence: 147 Arrested in Communal Violence Erupted Over ‘Kerala Story’ Post

MUMBAI: A media post about 'The Kerala Story' triggered violence between two individuals. However, that turned into a horrific incident as a huge violence erupted between Hindus and Muslims on Saturday that resulted in 1 person killed and over 13 people injured.

Communal violence erupted in Akola city and Shevgaon village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district in the previous two days in response to a religious message on social media, posing a challenge to authorities in preventing further flare-ups.

As a result of the situation, authorities have imposed curfews in some areas. So far, around 147 people have been detained.

Members of the two groups flung stones at each other and vandalized the area. Some two-wheelers and four-wheelers were set on fire during the unrest.

Internet services were suspended to maintain peace and to avoid rumors in Akola and Shevgaon.

According to a senior officer, following the event in Akola, District Magistrate Nima Arora issued a curfew, mandating people to stay at home, in four police station areas of the city in order to ensure law and order.

According to the source, the curfew was relaxed on Monday in areas within the authority of City Kotwali and Ramdas Peth police station limits.

The Kerala Story by filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Sudipto Sen revolves around 3 Hindu girls who were converted to Islam and then were brainwashed to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The movie has crossed Rs. 136 crore box office collection amidst the ‘The Kerala Story’ crew receiving death threats.

The office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued an appeal for calm and directed the state police to take harsh action against anybody involved in the violence.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office in a press statement said,” The situation in Akola and Shevgaon is now under control and the police force is deployed. On the instructions of state home minister Devendra Fadnavis, state rural development minister Girish Mahajan has personally visited Akola while revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil reviewed the situation in Shegaon.”

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