Tension prevails in MP town after communal clash; 49 arrested
Jabalpur (PTI): Tension gripped Sihora town in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district after a clash between Hindu and Muslim groups led to stone-pelting and vandalism, prompting police to lob teargas shells, officials said on Friday. They said 49 people had been arrested so far and efforts are on to nab others involved in the unrest.
The violence erupted around 10 PM on Thursday near Azad Chowk, an area where a Durga temple and a mosque are located in close proximity.
While officials stated the situation is now under control and no injuries were reported, a heavy police presence remains on the ground, and most local shops remained closed on Friday.
Hindu organisations alleged that some miscreants broke the iron gate of the temple while an 'aarti' was being performed and also hurled stones while local Muslim residents said the clash erupted when the special Ramzan prayer and temple aarti were taking place simultaneously.
Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay said that after initial attempts to use "mild force" failed to disperse the crowd, police had to resort to firing eight to ten teargas shells to disperse the unruly mob.
"We are currently not allowing people to roam in the affected area unnecessarily and are using drones to monitor the situation," Upadhyay said.
Additional SP Suryakant Sharma confirmed that 49 people have been arrested so far, with more suspects expected to be identified within 24 hours.
District Collector Raghavendra Singh denied reports that stones were hurled at the temple, as claimed by some Hindu activists and told PTI that "stone-pelting occurred between two groups, leading to the violence, and the situation is currently under control. Curfew will not be imposed."
However, Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang, speaking from Bhopal, pointed to viral social media footage and said "how stones were collected at the mosque is a matter of investigation. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands."
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said directives have been issued to ensure maintenance of law and order.
Several videos of the clash went viral on social media.
On Friday afternoon, Hindu activists staged a protest outside the Sihora police station, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and submitting a memorandum demanding the demolition of the houses belonging to those involved in the violence.
Strict action will be taken against those who disrupt law and order, and efforts are being made to maintain harmony by communicating with senior members of both the communities, said SP Upadhyay.
Speaking about how the violence started, local Muslim resident Shabreen told PTI Videos, "Taraweeh prayer was being held at the mosque, and aarti was being performed at the same time. It led to the fight."
Members of the Muslim community had requested that aarti be avoided during Taraweeh prayers, but the situation escalated, she added.
Taraweeh is a special prayer recited during the month of Ramzan.
In a memorandum submitted to the police, Hindu activists accused members of the other group of indulging in vandalism at the temple.
Bajrang Dal district coordinator Kanha Pandey told PTI Videos that this type of stone-pelting incident occurred for the first time in Sihora's history, and its "real masterminds" were different.
Local councillor Arshad Khan termed the clash deplorable.
Some of those arrested were innocent, he said. "Innocent persons should be let off, and those involved in violence must be punished," he added.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
