VADODARA, 29 September - Tensions rose in Manjusar village, Savli tehsil of Vadodara district, when a Ganpati idol immersion procession was disrupted by stone pelting on Thursday evening. Vadodara Rural Police have detained 5 individuals in connection with the incident and are currently interrogating them. Four participants of the yatra suffered injuries during the unexpected attack. An FIR has been registered against 30 suspects, including 18 who have been specifically named.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police for Vadodara Rural, BH Chavda, detailed that the procession in Manjusar village was moving along peacefully, with devotees carrying the Ganapati idol on tractors. The tranquility was shattered when, upon reaching Garasia Mohalla, stones began to rain down from the rooftops of nearby houses. Immediate police intervention managed to disperse the stone-pelters and restore calm, allowing the procession to proceed and complete the immersion of the idol.
The FIR, following a complaint lodged by the Ganpati Mahotsav organizer, Girish Panchal, names 18 individuals and lists 12 others. Most of the named suspects have reportedly fled their homes. In Panchal's account, he, along with around 100 villagers, had embarked on the immersion journey from Mahadev Falia. The procession grew in numbers and had approximately 500 participants when it was assailed near Garasia Mohalla around 6 pm.
In the aftermath of the incident, villagers expressed their discontent by chanting "Ramdhun" near the Manjusar Gram Panchayat square. The entire village is now under heightened police vigilance led by the Rural Superintendent of Police to ensure peace and security.
