14 shops belonging to Muslims burnt down by mob shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in Gurugram

As communal tensions in Indian state of Haryana’s Nuh and Gurugram areas continued, at least 14 shops – most of which belonged to Muslims – were burnt down in Gurugram’s Badshahpur.

A mob of about 200 men reportedly gathered at the main market and targeted shops selling biryani. According to Indian media, the mob shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while carrying out the attack. Police said that market was shut down.

The Indian media also reported that the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan was also chanted in front of a mosque in Badshahpur.

“Some youths were trying to create ruckus in the market and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. We reached the spot and handled the situation,” said Satish Kumar, SHO of Badshahpur police station.

A group of men also reportedly vandalised and looted shops at Pataudi Chowk on Basai Road in Gurugram.

All fuel stations in Gurugram district have been prohibited from selling loose fuel. “[In] exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), and in the interest of public safety and security, hereby order that all fuel stations operating in Gurugram district are strictly prohibited from selling loose petrol/diesel to any person (except for emergency purposes) with immediate effect,” district magistrate Nishant Yadav said in an order.

All educational institutions in the Sohna subdivision of Gurugram remained closed on Wednesday because of the violence.

Violence in Haryana erupted on Monday (July 31), during a ‘Shobha Yatra’ carried out by Hindu right-wing groups in Nuh.