7 cops, 2 others hurt in violence in Chhattisgarh village as out on bail man, aides attack locals
Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): Seven cops and two villagers were injured in stone-pelting and violence that erupted in a village in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district after a vandalism case accused out on bail, along with two others, went on an attack spree, police said on Monday.
The out on bail accused and his two associates allegedly assaulted four persons at different locations, one of them a witness in a 2024 temple desecration case. Following these assaults, an enraged mob of hundreds of villagers from a particular community attacked and torched over half a dozen houses of people from another community on Sunday evening in Dutkaiyya village under the Rajim police station area, they said.
Three men -- Arif Qureshi (18) and Salim Khan (23) -- residents of Dutkaiyya, and Imran Siddiqui (18) of Raipur allegedly assaulted four persons in Dutkaiyya, adjoining Bakli village under Rajim police station limits, and Basin village under Fingeshwar police station limits on Sunday morning, a police official said.
They also looted mobile phones from two of the victims, he said.
Following the assaults, villagers lodged three FIRs at the Rajim police station and one at Fingeshwar police station. The trio was arrested by around 6 pm on Sunday, he said.
However, later in the evening, hundreds of residents of Dutkaiyya and nearby villages allegedly gathered and attacked houses belonging to members of the minority community, including the home of Qureshi, he said.
Over half a dozen houses were vandalised and set on fire, and some vehicles were also torched. Two members of the minority community were injured in the attacks, he said.
When a police team, including senior officials, reached the spot to control the situation, they were allegedly attacked with stones and sticks by the mob. As many as seven police personnel were injured in attacks by sticks and stones, he said.
Force, including a lathi-charge, was used to disperse the mob and prevent loss of life and property. Seven women and children were rescued during the violence, the official stated.
An injured policeman was admitted to a private hospital in Raipur, while the other cops were undergoing treatment at the Community Health Centre in Rajim town. The injured civilians were admitted to a private and government hospital in Raipur, he said.
Police said communal tension in the village dates back to 2024, when Qureshi, then a minor, along with two others, was accused of desecrating a Shivling at a temple in Dutkaiyya village. He was then sent to a juvenile correctional home in Mana, Raipur, and was released on bail later.
After his release, Qureshi, now a major, allegedly intimidated villagers and harassed witnesses linked to the case. One of the persons assaulted on Sunday was a witness in the temple desecration case, he said.
An FIR has been registered on attempt to murder, rioting and arson charges against several persons involved in the violence, while a separate case of attempt to murder against a woman has been lodged in connection with an attack on a cop, police said.
The situation in Dutkaiyya village was under control and heavy police deployment has been made to prevent any further untoward incidents.
Authorities appealed to residents to maintain communal harmony and refrain from spreading or believing in rumours on social media and other communication platforms, officials said.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
