Raipur, Dec 26: Unidentified persons were booked for vandalising Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place at Magneto Mall on Wednesday during a day-long ‘Chhattisgarh bandh’ called by several Hindu organisations to protest alleged religious conversions. According to police, CCTV footage showed a group of 30–40 masked individuals entering the mall carrying sticks and vandalising property.
“Based on a complaint lodged by the mall staff, a case has been registered against 30–40 unidentified persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly with a common unlawful objective, rioting and mischief,” Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Lal Umed Singh told .
He said some of the accused have been identified and assured that strict action would be taken. Statements of eyewitnesses and suspects are currently being recorded as part of the investigation.
The mall management stated that a mob of around 40–50 people turned aggressive and violent, running through the premises with rods and hockey sticks. The incident occurred despite the mall being officially closed in support of the bandh, it added.
Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing protesters raising slogans and damaging Christmas decorations inside and outside the mall, including a Christmas tree and other festive installations.
The statewide bandh was called following a recent clash over the burial of a person from a Christian family in Kanker district. The shutdown received a mixed response across Chhattisgarh, with normal life disrupted in some cities, while only a partial impact was reported in others.
Meanwhile, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued a statement urging Hindus to refrain from celebrating Christmas, describing the appeal as an effort to promote cultural awareness. Reports also suggested that some shops and establishments were being encouraged not to participate in Christmas-related celebrations.
Police said they are closely monitoring the situation and have appealed to the public to maintain peace and law and order.
