PM Narendra Modi’s visit on March 30 in Nagpur won't be affected by riots, says CM Devendra Fadnavis

NAGPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit would remain unaffected by the recent riots in Nagpur. He accused the Congress of including Akola riots accused in their panel to assess the situation in riot-hit areas of the city.
Fadnavis announced that the government would recover losses caused by the riots by selling the properties of those involved. He assured compensation for citizens whose vehicles and properties were damaged within a week. While hinting at a possible foreign hand behind the riots, he said there was no concrete proof yet but noted similarities with the Malegaon pattern.
The chief minister assured that the curfew imposed in various parts of the city would be lifted in phases. He also warned that those uploading provocative social media posts or even conducting podcasts related to the riots would be made co-accused in the case.
Providing an update on the casualties, Fadnavis stated that 40 civilians, including 33 police personnel, were injured in the violence. Denying reports of a molestation attempt on women constables in Bhaldarpura, he clarified that they were attacked with stones but not assaulted.
He informed that 104 rioters had been identified, of whom 92 had already been arrested. Defending the police, Fadnavis praised their swift action in controlling the riots within four hours and dismissed claims that cops had vandalized vehicles during the unrest.
Rejecting allegations of an intelligence failure, the CM admitted that the available inputs were insufficient to predict the riots. He also assured that Prashant Koratkar, a key figure linked to the incident, would be traced soon, adding that reports of him being out of the country were incorrect.