At least one person was killed while over seven were left seriously injured after a social media post triggered clashes between members of two communities in a village in Maharashtra’s Satara. The incident took place in Pusesawali village in Khatao tehsil when an objectionable social media post shared by some members of one community led to violent clashes on Sunday night.
According to the police, the internet has been suspended in the district as a precautionary measure to curb the violence and prevent the sharing of misinformation. Several people, who are believed to be involved in the violence, were detained.
“An objectionable post by some youth from a community triggered tension between two communities, leading to communal clashes and disturbance in law and order," another police official told PTI.
Some houses were damaged after being set on fire, a senior district administration official said. “Some objectionable posts were exhibited on a social media platform and police were questioning a youth over it at an outpost in the village on Sunday. At that time, some persons from another community created ruckus outside the police post," Kolhapur Range Inspector General Sunil Phulari said.
The police promptly responded, and the situation is now under control, he stated. A case was registered under IPC section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and the youth who allegedly uploaded it was arrested, the IG informed.
“As a precautionary measure, we have suspended Internet services in the district and we urge the public not to fall prey to any rumours," the official said.
Security has been stepped up a police team has been deployed in the area and some individuals have been detained, the police added. Section 144 CrPC was imposed in parts of the affected places to maintain the law and order situation, media reports said.
Meanwhile, the Satara district administration also posted an appeal to the public on their social media handle. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhosale has appealed for a peaceful resolution to the matter.