Chhattisgarh: Communal Violence Erupts in Chhattisgarh Village After Accused in Temple Vandalism Assault Complainants, 3 Held

Raipur: Communal clashes erupted in a village in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district following alleged intimidation of complainants and witnesses by the accused in a case relating to vandalism in a local temple, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred in the Dudhikiya village late on Sunday night, leaving six policemen injured and several houses, shops and vehicles torched, police said.

Reinforcement rushed to the village to prevent further escalation of the situation, police said.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident, Gariaband district superintendent of police Vedvrat Sirmour told the media.

According to the police, three people, accused in a temple vandalism incident in the village, were allegedly intimidating the villagers after being released on bail in the case.

The accused, Arif and two of his associates, allegedly assaulted six youths, who were either complainants or witnesses in the case, with rods, triggering unrest among the villagers who staged a demonstration before the local police station demanding action against them.

Later, a mob entered a colony and set fire to the houses of the accused and torched several vehicles and shops.

The mob pelted stones at the police, leaving six cops injured.

Reinforcement rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.

The situation is tense but under control, police said.

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said that strict action will be taken against the offenders in the incident after the probe.

He said that his government has adopted zero tolerance to crime and corruption and no one, found responsible for the incident, will be spared.