A day after violent riots and vandalism at Seventh Day Adventist School in Khokhra following the murder of a student, the situation once again spiralled out of control on Thursday as NSUI and Youth Congress workers, joined by students, clashed with police outside the school.
On Wednesday, enraged locals and students had stormed the campus, vandalising classrooms, offices, school buses and equipment worth nearly ₹18 lakh. Following this, school administrator Mayurika Patel filed a complaint against a mob of 400–500 people, prompting Khokhra police to register a case under charges of rioting, assault and damage to property.
By Thursday noon, over 400 students and activists gathered outside the school, shouting “We Want Justice” and accusing police of brutality. Traffic on one side of the road was brought to a standstill. As the crowd swelled, police resorted to baton charges and detentions, bundling several NSUI and Youth Congress leaders into police vans. Eyewitnesses alleged that even some schoolchildren standing outside were detained.
I Division ACP Krunal Desai said, “All those protesting outside the school have been detained. Complaints have been filed against 500 people for rioting and vandalism which happened on Wednesday, but no arrests have been made yet.”
Meanwhile, the bandh call saw mixed response in commercial areas across Maninagar, Khokhra and Isanpur. While Sindhi Market remained completely closed, several shopkeepers downed shutters only after protesters forced closures, raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” outside shops. Police had to step in to prevent clashes between traders and demonstrators. Most schools in the area also remained shut as a precaution.
Tensions spread beyond Khokhra as well. In Maninagar, protesters attempted to shut down a private coaching centre, but backed off after staff resisted and threatened to record the incident on camera.
As clashes intensified, NSUI workers accused the police of acting “like terrorists” during detentions, while several students claimed they were beaten in the baton charge.
The murder of the Class 10 student has triggered citywide outrage, with political groups seizing the issue to mobilise protests. Police, meanwhile, continue to face the twin challenge of investigating the murder while also struggling to contain the wave of violence that has followed.