Chhattisgarh: Police arrest five persons in Bemetara flare up, situation limping back to normalcy

Police launched a crackdown on the culprits of Bemetara violence. Five persons were arrested by the police. The accused were involved in torching a house in Biranpur district of Bemetara on April 10.

Bemetara (Chhattisgarh): Police launched a crackdown on the culprits of Bemetara violence. Five persons were arrested by the police. The accused were involved in torching a house in the Biranpur district of Bemetara on April 10. At around 2 pm on April 10 when violence erupted in Biranpur district these five accused set a house on fire. During the arson, a cylinder caught fire and exploded. IG Anand Chhabra had a close shave in the incident. Police said that the arrested persons have been identified as Ajay Rajak, Praveen Kumar Singh, Sandeep Sahu, Pradeep Rajak and Dinesh Rajak.

What led to the violence:On April 8, a scuffle between two children erupted into a violent clash between the two communities. A youth was killed in the incident. Several policemen sustained injuries. The uproar over the Biranpur violence spread to the entire Chhattisgarh. Vishwa Hindu Parishad gave a bandh call on April 10.

During the Chhattisgarh bandh, a house was set on fire by the mob. On April 11, the bodies of the father and son duo was recovered from a house in Bemetara, which led to the further escalation of the violence. Now, the situation is under control. The police are convening Peace Committee meetings, appealing to people to maintain peace and calm in their respective areas.

Bhubaneswar Sahu, the youth was killed in Bemetara violence whose Shraddh rituals were performed. Section 144 has been clamped in the urban areas of Biranpur as a precautionary measure. The entry of outsiders has been prohibited. Bemetara Collector PS Elma said, "Peace Committee meetings were organised at the village level. The heads of the Peace Committees have been taken into confidence."