Bhopal: The state Home Minister directly accused Muslims of violence and rioting, heightening tensions following skirmishes during a Ram Navami procession in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone on Sunday.

He also defended the state government's widely panned decision to demolish the homes of people accused of throwing stones at a procession commemorating the birth of the Hindu god Ram.

He also warned of taking action against former CM and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

He said that the state administration is taking action against "rioters and encroachers." On Sunday, on the occasion of Ram Navami, a procession was held in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, and the Hindus were taking out the Shobha Yatra. Clashes erupted while it was passing through a Muslim dominated area.

According to the police, stones were thrown at the procession following a heated altercation over the use of loud devotional music from loudspeakers. To keep the situation under control, the police lobbed tear gas shells.

Many police officers were hurt, including police superintendent Siddharth Chaudhary. Four houses were set ablaze, and a temple was vandalised.

"There have been 94 arrests. The SP (Superintendent of Police) who was shot is presently doing better. The youngster on the ventilator is also doing better than before, "Mishra stated.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister, has ordered that the "illegal constructions" of those involved in stone-throwing be demolished. Bulldozers were employed to demolish 45 residences and businesses. On Monday, around 16 dwellings and 29 businesses were demolished.

Several opposition parties have condemned the use of bulldozers to target a community. Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, has earned the name "Bulldozer Baba" as he took a stand in favour of demolishing illegal structures.

When asked why the government had taken action against people accused of violence without following due process, Mishra stated: "Those who can be seen on camera throwing stones are not just making claims. We are following the law, and they will be imprisoned, "declared the minister.

Regarding the demolition of entire families, even if only one member has been accused of throwing stones, the minister stated: "Those who have been harmed have families as well. Why didn't they think before resorting to wielding weapons? "

Mishra defended the demolitions, saying they were carried out only after it was determined that the house or property was illegal. The minister denied that his administration was targeting Muslims. The minister said that if anyone sparks or triggers rioting in the state, they will be crushed.

He said action would be taken against Congress leader Digvijay Singh for allegedly sharing a fake video.

Singh claimed that saffron flags were flown over a mosque on the same day as the violence. According to the state government, the photo was not taken in Khargone but rather was an old image from Bihar. The tweet was eventually removed by the Congress leader.

"We will take appropriate action. Digvijaya Singh's tweet went viral. This is not the first time this has happened, and it is a very severe problem, "Mishra stated.