Prohibitory orders in Udaipur as Hindu activist detained ahead of rally

Prohibitory orders were imposed in Udaipur as Rajasthan Police on Thursday detained a right-wing Hindu activist hours ahead of his planned rally in support of "Love Jihad" murder accused Shambhulal Raigar in the city.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana in Bagru on Thursday afternoon at the Jaipur border on Ajmer Road, Bagru SHO, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

On Tuesday, Rana had posted a video online calling for a massive rally in Udaipur on Thursday. He called upon Hindus to support the rally in big numbers, He had also posted another video on Wednesday saying that he is going to meet Raigar's family and had also dared the administration to arrest him.

Earlier, Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to avert any untoward incident in the city.

In view of the rise in hate messages being exchanged on social media sites, Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha ordered suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur and Rajsamand, where Raigar had brutally murdered and burnt a Muslim man in the name of "Love Jihad" earlier this month. Schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

Police sources confirmed that internet services, bulk sms/MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services have been suspended for 24 hours. Police also asked citizens to stay vigilant.

According to sources, a few self-proclaimed Hindu organisations have announced they will take out a procession on Thursday supporting Raigar.

Many people also deposited money in the account of Raigar's wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wife's account.

Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speech will be strictly prohibited under Section 144. Those violating the order will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts which are triggering hate messages and also exchanging them.

Rana has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his accounts.

On December 9, a large number of Muslims took out a rally in Udaipur demanding the harshest punishment for Raigar.

A video is also going viral on social media purportedly showing Muslims in a rally at Chetak Circle in Udaipur shouting slogans against Hindu organisations. They are seen demanding death for Raigar. Police sources said the video has been sent for forensic examination.

To protest against this video, several self-proclaimed Hindu organisations geared up to extend support to Shambulal Raigar and his family. Members of one such organisation announced holding a rally in Rajsamand on Thursday.

--IANS

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