Kolhapur Tense After Violent Clash Over Hoardings; 10 Injured, Vehicles Torched

A violent clash erupted between two groups in Kolhapur city on Friday night, leaving at least 10 people injured, including four police personnel, and a trail of destruction as several vehicles were vandalised and set on fire. The violence, which broke out near Siddharthnagar Kamani, was reportedly triggered by a dispute over hoardings and the use of a sound system. A heavy police presence was deployed to bring the volatile situation under control.

The conflict began on Friday afternoon when one group erected a plaque for an anniversary celebration on the Siddharthnagar arch. Police intervened when preparations for a sound system and lighting began, with Inspector Shriram Kanherkar of Laxmipuri Police Station seizing the materials, citing the lack of permission due to the proximity of a circuit bench. Despite the warning, the group re-erected a large plaque in the evening and started playing a loudspeaker, an act perceived as a provocation by the opposing group.

Tensions boiled over around 9:30 pm as the two factions came face-to-face, leading to abusive exchanges and intense stone-pelting. Mobs armed with sticks, branches, and other weapons took to the streets, causing panic among local residents and passersby. In the ensuing chaos, vehicles in the Siddharthnagar-Rajebagswar Dargah area were targeted. A tempo was overturned and torched, while five cars and a rickshaw were smashed.

Senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta and Additional Superintendent Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, rushed to the scene with reinforcements from across the city and a riot control team. The injured, which included civilians and police officers like Sub-Inspector Shesh More and Constable Abid Mulla, were taken to CPR Hospital for treatment.

Officers engaged directly with the agitated crowds, including a group of women, and managed to pacify them by promising strict legal action against the culprits. The situation was finally defused after police amicably resolved a complaint about a removed flag, which was met with applause from the crowd.

A contingent of about 300 police personnel remained deployed in the area overnight to prevent further unrest. The police are investigating the incident and have warned that the Cyber Police will take action against anyone attempting to spread rumors by sharing videos of the clash on social media.