Authorities on Thursday demolished 186 illegal structures belonging to those involved in a stone-pelting and vandalism incident in Bahiyal village of Gandhinagar district during Navratri, officials said.
The violence erupted on September 24 when a group from the minority community vandalised shops and vehicles and hurled stones over an objectionable social media post. More than 200 people were reportedly involved in the rioting, which left several shops and vehicles damaged or set ablaze. Nearly 60 individuals were detained following the incident.
Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said, “Encroachments of 186 commercial establishments linked to the rioters are being removed in Dahegam taluka. Around 50 of the accused are history-sheeters.”
The demolition drive was conducted under tight security, with around 300 police personnel deployed, and in the presence of the sub-divisional magistrate and panchayat officials.
The attack last month was triggered by anger over a social media post, which led the mob to target the individual who had shared it.