Maharashtra: Twenty policemen injured in Sambhaji Nagar riot

A minor argument between two groups led to a riot in Maharashtra's Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. It left over 20 cops injured and several vehicles burnt. The riot led to the Maha Vikas Aghadi opposition alleging that the BJP was trying to incite communal riots in the state.

Police officials said the incident took place around midnight on Wednesday. The cause of the riot is unclear with some claiming that inflammatory slogans were raised while police officials claim it was a minor tiff of some bike-borne youths at Kiradpura town. The verbal jostling, however, soon turned ugly. Sambhaji Nagar, formerly known as Aurangabad, is a communal cauldron with the region known for several riots.

A mob of hundreds attacked the police, vandalising property and burning vehicles including those belonging to the police. Later more police personnel were rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control. The Sambhaji Nagar police officials have registered cases and a search operation is going on to detain those involved in the violence. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the riot 'unfortunate'.