Violence Erupts in Chhattisgarh: Vehicles Torched Amidst Religious Tensions

GG News Bureau
Balodabazar, 11th June. Violence erupted in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar city as a protest organized by the Satnami community took a violent turn, resulting in the torching of several vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, as well as a government building. The protest was sparked by the desecration of a religious pillar revered by the Satnami community.

The incident that triggered the protest occurred on the night of May 15-16 when unidentified individuals vandalized a ‘jaitkhamb’, a sacred structure for the Satnami community, near the holy Amar Gufa in Giroudpuri dham, Balodabazar district. Although three individuals were arrested in connection with the desecration, the Satnami community demanded a central agency probe into the matter.

In response to the incident, the Satnami community called for a peaceful demonstration at Dussehra Maidan and a gherao of the collector’s office. However, the protest turned violent as protesters clashed with police personnel, pelting stones and breaking barricades.

According to Balodabazar Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar, approximately 5,000 protesters breached police barricades and entered the collectorate premises, setting ablaze several vehicles and the SP office building. The situation escalated further as a fire brigade vehicle was also torched by the mob.

The violence resulted in injuries to several police personnel, with visuals from the protest site depicting the chaotic scene of clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

In response to the unrest, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed top officials to intervene, seeking a report on the incident and emphasizing the need to maintain social harmony. The state government has initiated a judicial probe into the desecration of the ‘jaitkhamb’, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stressing that actions disturbing social harmony will not be tolerated.

The Satnami community, which constitutes a significant portion of Scheduled Castes in Chhattisgarh, has been founded by the medieval-era social reformer Baba Ghasidas.