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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2016 Coimbatore riots
| side3 =
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = September 22–24, 2016
| place = [[Coimbatore]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates =
| causes = Murder of Hindu Munnai functionary C Sasikumar
| goals =
| methods = {{Hlist|[[Riot]]ing|[[arson]]|[[burglary]]|[[looting]]}}
| status =
| result = Riot stopped after 2 days
| side1 =
| side2 =
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
| leadfigures3 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany2 =
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| casualties3 =
| injuries ={{bulleted list|12 Police men from stone pelting
|3 Police suffered fire burns}}
| fatalities =
| arrests =650 people, mostly from Hindu Munnani
| detentions =129, mostly Hindu Munnani members and 2 BJP members
| charged =
| fined =
| casualties_label =Casualties
| notes =
| sidebox =
}}
{{Infobox
|name =
|bodystyle =width:26em
|abovestyle = background:#FFD8C9;
|above = Damages
|headerstyle = background:#ccf;
|labelstyle = background:#ddf; width:30%
|datastyle =
| label1 =All damages
| data1 =* 10 private vehicles including an autorickshaw burned down
* 6 Police Vehicles including a police Jeep burned down
* 34 government buses
* 39 shops belonging to Muslims
* 15 shops belonging to the Hindus
|header5 =Total estimated cost of the damages : ₹5 Crores<ref name=":6" />
|belowstyle = background:#ddf;
|below =
}}
The '''2016 Coimbatore riots''' refers to the riots that took place in Coimbatore from September 22 to September 24, 2016, by members of the [[Hindu Munnani]] after the murder of the outfit's district spokesperson, C Sasikumar.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/817527/in-coimbatore-a-murder-and-mob-action-expose-the-hate-politics-of-fringe-religious-groups|title=In Coimbatore, a murder and mob action expose the hate politics of fringe religious groups|last=Yamunan|first=Sruthisagar|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-01-27|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/content/archival/news/india/cbcid-to-probe-murder-of-hindu-munnani-activist-in-coimbatore.html|title=CBCID to probe murder of Hindu Munnani activist in Coimbatore|website=theweek.in|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coimbatore-riots-hindu-munnani-stone-pelting-cctv-rss-343060-2016-09-25|title=Communal tension in Coimbatore, mobs on looting spree, petrol bombs hurled at shop|last=September 25|first=Pramod Madhav|last2=September 25|first2=2016UPDATED|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30|last3=Ist|first3=2016 15:08}}</ref>

== Background ==
Sasikumar was attacked when he was returning to his home in his motor-cycle when unidentified men chased him in their motor-cycles and assaulted him with Sickles on September 22, 2016 in Subramaniampalayam, a place in the outskirts of the city.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2016/09/23212127/Coimbatore-tense-as-Hindu-Munnani-man-hacked-to-death.vpf|title=Coimbatore tense as Hindu Munnani man hacked to death|last=|first=|date=2016-09-24|website=dtNext.in|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref> Despite his injuries he managed to escape and later died in a private hospital.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2016/sep/23/Communal-tension-in-Coimbatore-after-Hindu-Munnani-leader-hacked-to-death-1524201.html|title=Communal tension in Coimbatore after Hindu Munnani leader hacked to death|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>

Meanwhile, more than 500 members of the Hindu Munnani gathered near the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital(CMCH) where his body was taken for [[autopsy]]. The Hindu Munnani state president who also warned of "another Gujarat" in Tamil Nadu, called for a state-wide bandh in the following day.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/communal-flashpoint-coimbatore-is-the-tn-083929664.html|title=Communal flashpoint Coimbatore: Is the TN government doing enough to prevent violence?|website=in.news.yahoo.com|language=en-IN|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>

== Riots ==
The violence reportedly started within hours of his murder on September 22 when three mosques were attacked with petrol bombs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Islamic-organisations-blame-police-for-violence-in-Coimbatore/article15422251.ece|title=Islamic organisations blame police for violence in Coimbatore|date=2016-10-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-30|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Mobs-go-on-rampage-at-funeral-of-Hindu-activist-in-Coimbatore/articleshow/54492105.cms|title=Mobs go on rampage at funeral of Hindu activist in Coimbatore {{!}} Coimbatore News - Times of India|last=Sep 24|first=A. Subburaj {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30|last3=Ist|first3=08:22}}</ref>

During the funeral procession of Sasikumar from CMCH to Subramaniampalayam, mobs mostly of Hindu munnani members, started destroying the window panes of several shops and attacked several houses and commercial establishments mostly of Muslims, along their way.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> The members also pelted stones at the buses and shops and attacked several places of worship creating chaos.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Madhavan|first=Karthik|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/%E2%80%8BMurder-of-Hindu-Munnani-functionary-sparks-communal-violence-in-Coimbatore/article14995576.ece|title=Murder of Hindu Munnani functionary sparks communal violence in Coimbatore|date=2016-09-23|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-30|url-status=live|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> When the procession reached the [[Thudiyalur]], where Sasikumar lived, the mob turned their rage at the police and started pelting stones at the police which injured 12 policemen and also burned a Police jeep.<ref name=":2" /> Media persons covering the funeral procession were also attacked and three police officers also sustained burn injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/hindu-munnani-functionary-hacked-to-death-bandh-turns-violent-692387-2016-09-23|title=Hindu Munnani functionary hacked to death, bandh turns violent|last=September 23|first=P. T. I.|last2=September 23|first2=2016UPDATED|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30|last3=Ist|first3=2016 20:20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hindu-munnani-functionary-succumbs-to-burns-116100800470_1.html|title=Hindu Munnani functionary succumbs to burns|date=2016-10-08|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>

The mob also set several cars on fire and some members set fire and ransacked several Shops.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bandh-called-by-hindu-munnani-turns-violent-116092300908_1.html|title=Bandh called by Hindu Munnani turns violent|date=2016-09-23|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref> 1 Police jeep and an auto-rickshaw were burned down and at least 30 government buses were damaged by the rioters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/hindu-activists-murder-after-riots-calm-in-coimbatore/17637176|title=Hindu activist's murder: After riots, calm in Coimbatore|date=2016-09-25|website=mid-day|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Eyewitness claimed that the mob went on a looting spree even in-front of the watching police.<ref name=":4" />

A Muslim man's mobile phone shop at Tutiyalur was looted and ransacked allegedly by members of [[Hindutva]] outfits after they broke into the shop at the night of September 24. The CCTV video of the looting quickly went viral on social media. The Muslim Community alleged that Muslim businesses were mostly targeted by the rioters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/coimbatore-violence-cctv-footage-muslim-mans-mobile-phone-shop-being-looted-50399|title=Coimbatore violence: CCTV footage of Muslim man's mobile phone shop being looted|last=|first=|date=|website=www.thenewsminute.com|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Tensions also prevailed in [[Tiruppur]] and most of the Shops were closed down in both the cities during the rampage. Some schools were also closed. Six special police teams have been formed to catch the rioters. Meanwhile, Muslim organizations asked the collector for an intervention by district administration to end the violence by HIndutva outfits.<ref name=":5" />

== Damages ==
A joint petition by the Forum for Coimbatore People's Unity including several advocate's and political parties to the district collector in January 2019, reported that the rioters of the [[Hindu Munnani]] had damaged 10 private vehicles, 34 government buses, 39 shops belonging to Muslims, 15 shops belonging to the Hindus and 6 Police Vehicles. The report estimated the damages to about 5 crores.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/get-rs-5cr-from-hindu-munnani-for-damage-caused-during-riot/articleshow/67647768.cms|title='Get Rs 5cr from Hindu Munnani for damage caused during riot' {{!}} Coimbatore News - Times of India|last=Jan 22|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30|last3=Ist|first3=23:40}}</ref> The petition asked the district administration to collect 5 crores from Hindu Munnani and also accused the Hindu Munnani of trying to get political gains from the riots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyoooz.com/news/coimbatore/1308755/get-rs-5cr-from-hindu-munnani-for-damage-caused-during-riot/|title='Get Rs 5cr from Hindu Munnani for damage caused during riot' {{!}} Coimbatore NYOOOZ|last=NYOOOZ|website=NYOOOZ|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>

== Arrests ==
The Coimbatore police reported that it had arrested more than 650 people involved in the unrest on September 26. Of them 129 remained in custody for allegedly planning violence and involvement in violence and the remaining were given bail. The police also warned that the number would go up.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ananth|first=M. k|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Coimbatore-unrest-650-arrested/article14999697.ece|title=Coimbatore unrest: 650 arrested|date=2016-09-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-30|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/coimbatore-bandh-more-than-100-protesters-of-hindu-munnani-arrested-for-rioting-after-murder-of-their-leader-1511174/|title=Coimbatore bandh: More than 100 protesters of Hindu Munnani arrested for rioting after murder of their leader|last=Desk|first=India com News|date=2016-09-24|website=India.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>

In October 2016, Two members of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] were arrested for their involvement in the riots under the [[Goonda Acts|Goondas Act]] and were sent to the [[Vellore Central Prison]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Funeral-procession-violence-2-BJP-cadres-slapped-with-Goondas-Act/articleshow/54887829.cms|title=Funeral procession violence: 2 BJP cadres slapped with Goondas Act {{!}} Coimbatore News - Times of India|last=Oct 17|first=TNN {{!}}|last2=2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30|last3=Ist|first3=03:16}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
Director general of police, Ramesh. K Ramanujam said that there is an issue in the investigation for the case, because not every murder was communal in nature and a series of murders in the state for the past few years have been given communal colour by Hindutva groups in an attempt to spread their ideologies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/not-all-attacks-on-hindu-leaders-communal-tamil-nadu-dgp/article4956148.ece|title=Not all attacks on Hindu leaders communal: Tamil Nadu DGP|date=2013-07-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-31|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A senior police officer said that some members of Hindutva outfits have known criminal records and when caught they try to use their religion to escape from the law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/817527/in-coimbatore-a-murder-and-mob-action-expose-the-hate-politics-of-fringe-religious-groups|title=In Coimbatore, a murder and mob action expose the hate politics of fringe religious groups|last=Yamunan|first=Sruthisagar|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />

{{#seo:
|keywords=2016 in India, Riots and civil disorder in India
|description=
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[[Category:2016 in India]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]

2016 Coimbatore riots - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:52, 8 July 2023