India: Now, Pratapgarh - Dalits and Muslims clash over bathing in river, ‘spoiling’ of graveyard

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Three persons from Jamtali village were referred to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Allahabad, police said, adding the condition of all the injured was stable.

By: Express News Service | Allahabad | Updated: June 16, 2015 1:47 am

Two incidents of clashes between the Dalits and Muslims- the first over taking bath in a river, and the second over some children “unknowingly” entering a graveyard to attend nature’s call- in two separate villages in Pratapgarh district on Sunday had the police on their toes throughout Monday. Both the villages fall under the the Raniganj police station area of the district.

While four Dalits sustained gunshot injuries in the clash at Basaha Jamtali village and several others sustained minor injuries in the first incident that took place in the afternoon, nearly half-a-dozen persons, from both the communities, were hurt in the clash that occurred at Bhagipur village in the evening.

Three persons from Jamtali village were referred to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Allahabad, police said, adding the condition of all the injured was stable.

While no arrests have been made, the PAC and the local police carried out several raids to on the hideouts of the suspects. The Circle Officers were camping in the villages to prevent any untoward development. The police also claimed that the situation was under control, even as senior officials held several meetings regarding the incident.

Giving details about the first incident, the police said the Jamtali village is located on the banks of Sai river. The residents use its water for drinking and bathing purposes. On Sunday noon, a group of women from the Dalit basti were taking bath in the river, when some youngsters from Muslim community belonging to Budhaura Kumbhapur village reached there to take bath.

A couple of youngsters from Jamtali, citing the presence of women, asked them to take bath some distance away. This, however, led to an argument and fisticuffs. Some elders intervened and the matter appeared to have been sorted out.

Nearly half-an-hour later, however, some people from the other group riding bikes and carrying arms, reached the Dalit basti and began firing. Subhash Saroj, Lalit Kishore Saroj, Pradeep (in their mid-20s) and Chauhraja (60) sustained gunshot injuries in the attack. A few others also sustained injuries in the clash that followed. As the residents of the basti gathered to retaliate, the assailants fled.

Superintendent of Police (Pratapgarh), Balikaran Singh Yadav, later reached the spot, along with police force, but the residents blocked the road for a couple of hours demanding arrest of the accused.

The police had to use mild force to disperse the crowd. Heavy police deployment was done to control the situation. Later, an FIR was registered against seven named, including Mubin, Meraj, Wahab and others, and seven unnamed persons.

Contacted, the SP said things were in control and raids were going on. The other incident occurred at Bhagipur village late on Sunday evening. “One Vijay Bahadur’s sister’s marriage was to be held in the village and a large number of relatives had come to his house. Late in the evening, the women and some children went out to answer the nature’s call. Some childre, unknowingly, ventured into a graveyard area situated in between Bhagipur and neighbouring Muni Ka Purwa.

A group of Muslims from the neighbouring village objected to this. It led to an argument, which soon turned into a clash with lathis. The injuries were not very serious. The situation was brought under control soon,” said a police spokesperson.

An FIR in this regard has been registered against over a dozen persons by name, besides several others. “Raids are being conducted at various places. More than one company of PAC has been deployed at both the places and at other strategic points to maintain calm,” said the spokesperson.

He added that raids were being conducted, but no arrests have been made so far. A few persons have been detained for questioning in connection with the two cases.
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