By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Violence-hit Nanded in Maharashtra is struggling to return to normal as Muslims are scared in the wake of one-sided arresting of youths following communal clashes.
It was on March 13 that a communal clash took place in Nayi Aabadi area in Nanded when a certain group was playing the banned CD of the song ‘Mandir Wahin Banayenge’ (We will build the temple {Ram Mandir} at the same place {Ayodhya}) in front of Aabidin Masjid.
The Shiv Seniks took out Shiv Jayanti procession wherein they shouted anti-Muslim slogans. The participants increased the volume when they reached Aabidin Masjid at 9:45 pm and despite police prohibition they continued to do so. When namazees and other local Muslims objected to it the processionists got engaged in fierce argument with them leading to stonepelting from both sides. Several people including policemen were injured.
Besides Nayi Aabadi the violence spread to Shivaji Nagar and Labor Colony areas also. To control the situation the curfew was imposed at 10:30 pm and police started arresting. Of 36 people arrested so far, 31 are from the minority community.
Locals alleged that the police divided into three groups each comprising 15 and intruded Muslim houses. They arrested youths, beat elderly people and insulted women.
It is also alleged that police entered the Aabidin mosque wearing shoes and threw the articles therein in addition to arresting three persons of Tableeghi Jamaat.
The rioters burnt five motorcycles, damaged dozens of two-wheelers and auto rickshaws and set on fire a show museum at Shivaji Nagar main road.
The Muslims today met district collector and SP demanding tough punishment for the guilty police officers and the immediate suspension of the Shivaji Nagar Police station inspector Dharam Singh Chauhan who is said to have pleaded the arrested Muslim youths to be charged under various sections of Indian Panel Code including that of damage to property. They also demanded judicial inquiry in the matter.
The district collector Shri Pradeshi has ordered that panchnamas should be written regarding the damages done to motorcycles, auto rickshaws, shops and houses. The work is on in this regard.
Since voting for Lok Sabha elections is scheduled to be held on April 16 in Nanded it is feared that communal elements will spoil the atmosphere to polarize votes. But due to the timely police action and intervention of the elders the situation is normal. Muhammad Taqi, chief editor of a vernacular Urdu daily ‘Waraq-e-Taza’ told, ‘The situation is under control but Muslims who are in minority in the district are in fear. The curfew has been relaxed but SRP is still deployed.’ He added that arrests continue.