48 Incidents Of Communal Violence Reported From Six States In The Festive Week Of October

In this season of festivity and celebration, communal disharmony is rearing its head in various parts of the country. Nearly 48 incidents of communal violence took place last week across six states of the country, resulting in the death of at least two and maiming dozens.

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar became the worst-hit states. The two states have been reeling under fringe incidents of communal violence for quite some time now. Incidents were also recorded in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka.

Uttar Pradesh
People from Hindu and Muslim community reportedly pelted stones at each other on October 12 in Kotwali, Gonda district, after people participating in procession to immerse Durga idol, sat on a dharna at Guddumal Chowk near a mosque. BJP MPs from Kaiserganj and Gonda, Brij Bhushan Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh, respectively, joined the dharna at Kotwali. 17 were arrested by the police, three of them were released later.

The Tajiadaran Committee in Gonda was supposed to take out a Muharram procession but finally refused citing the lack of adequate security.

Communal tension also erupted in Mau region after rumours surfaced that a Durga idol had been broken.

In Aligarh’s Jalali region, there was trouble after an effigy of Ravana was allegedly burnt on land belonging to a Muslim graveyard.

Violent clashes broke out in Bilari area over a Muharram procession

Stones were pelted and houses were burned as tension broke out between Hindus and Muslims following objection to songs being played near a mosque in Gumma Khan Purva area. The police arrested 34 people and a child was killed in the violence.

Clashes broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Deoria’s Lar town after some people objected to the raising of religious chants.

Violence also took place in Nawabganj and Hargaon after Muharram procession were stopped.

Similar incidents of communal violence were reported from Bhinga, Pilibhit, Chitrakoot, Barabanki, Shravasti, Balia, Kunda, Faizabad, Saharanpur and Etawah.

Bihar
Tensions sparked off after a puja pandal was vandalised on October 11 in Turkolia, Motihari. Several shops were burnt down in the mayhem that ensued. Police resorted to lathicharge to separate the mob.

Sugauli in East Champaran witnessed violence during Durga idol immersion on October 14.

In Bettiah, a man died of cardiac arrest during communal clashes.

Stone-pelting and firing took place in Gopalganj’s Turkaha on 14 October.

A girl was teased in Muharram procession on October 13 that triggered violence.

Madhya Pradesh
Reports of communal clashes came from Pipalyam village in Dhar on October 12 following a Muharram march. Shops and vehicles were burnt and at least 10 people sustained injuries.

A bandh was also observed in Jhabua’s Petlawad following violence during a Muharram procession.

Communal violence reported from Anjad area and Bhauransa area during Muharram and Durga Puja processions.

West Bengal
Fringe communal violence incidents were reported from Kharagpur, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas. The violence sparked off after rumours spread about a bomb being planted to target a Muharram procession in Kharagpur.

Maharashtra
Muharram march resulted in violence between people from Hindu and Muslim communities in Thane’s Bhiwandi area. Muharram procession led to the damages of gates erected for Navratri celebration.

Karnataka
Belagavi’s Shetty Gali area also witnessed violence after a green flag was hoisted on the night of October 11. The violence led to the injury of a about 12 people.

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