Amreli’s Saldi clash case: 9 more arrested, total 16 in custody

24th October 2025 at 7:52 PM

1 minute read

Amreli: A violent group clash broke out in Saldi village near Liliya, Amreli district, on Diwali night, reportedly triggered by lingering resentment over an old gram panchayat election, according to local media reports. Sticks, iron pipes, and wooden batons were used instead of firecrackers, leaving around 25 people with minor to moderate injuries, and police registered cross-complaints from both groups soon after the incident.

In the first FIR filed by members of the Patel community, 17 alleged attackers from the Ahir community were booked under attempt-to-murder and other serious charges, while the counter-complaint named eight from the Patel side for assault and rioting, as per regional reports. Police have so far taken 16 accused into lawful custody and initiated a detailed probe to establish the sequence of events and individual roles.

Investigators said they first arrested six suspects, followed by nine more, and seized two vehicles linked to the incident, with scene reconstruction exercises conducted in Saldi to understand how the clash unfolded. Large crowds gathered during the reconstructions, and panchanamas were carried out at the site to document evidence and witness accounts.

Officials briefed that the dispute tied to the past local body election escalated into violence during the festival night, and a deeper investigation is underway to identify triggers and prevent recurrence. All injured were shifted to Amreli Civil Hospital for treatment, and both sides have accused each other of using pipes and batons during the confrontation.

Police response and oversight
Crowds from both sides reached the Liliya police station late at night, heightening tensions, after which senior officers intervened at the village to restore order and appeal for calm. In a related development, a policeman who reached the spot allegedly in an intoxicated state was seen fleeing in a viral video and has since been suspended by the Amreli police chief, according to Gujarati outlets.