Nagpur authorities have imposed a curfew in nine police station areas under Zone 3 and Zone 4 following violent clashes that erupted on March 17. The curfew order, issued by Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singhal under the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), will remain in effect until March 28 to prevent further escalation. Around 80 to 100 rioters have been detained for acts of arson and vandalism.
Meanwhile, BJP and Shiv Sena leaders staged a protest outside the Maharashtra Assembly, demanding strict action against those responsible.
Central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke accused the city police of failing to prevent the violence, saying, &ldquo;This was a pre-planned attack targeting Hindu-owned shops and vehicles in Mahal. The lack of police presence in such a communally sensitive area emboldened rioters to cause damage.&rdquo;
In response to the unrest, many school bus operators have suspended services within city limits as a precautionary measure. While no official directive was issued, Samar Jog of the School Bus Owners Association stated, &ldquo;Around 750 buses remained off the roads, while some rural routes continued operating. We decided this to ensure student safety.&rdquo;
Many educational institutions in Nagpur remained closed on Tuesday, with some being ordered shut by authorities and others closing voluntarily. District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar clarified, &ldquo;Only institutions in affected zones were officially directed to shut, while others made independent decisions based on safety concerns.&rdquo;
The protests by BJP and Shiv Sena reflect growing political pressure on the state government to address the situation and restore order in the city.

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Curfew in Nagpur extended till March 28, number of those arrested rises to 80–100

March 18, 2025 | 12:24 IST