Karanja in Washim district ignited with communal riots under pretense of ‘Love Jihad’; another town in Nasik district under curfew after mob attacks and injures police officials
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Washim/Nasik (Maharashtra): Following the marriage of a youth from minority community with a girl from another community, communal tension erupted at Karanja town in Washim district resulting into one death, injuries to many others and damages to public property.
As per reports, the couple in love had a court marriage last week but the people from the girl’s community were unhappy at the alliance as the groom belonged to the minority community. Purportedly, the girl is a daughter of a local political leader with association with the extremist organisation RSS. Many more Hindu organisations were angered because of the marriage and have been holding meetings on the issue since then.
The situation turned tense soon after the news of their court marriage spread in the town, which has a minority community that forms about 20 % of the town’s population. Members of the minority community were apprehensive of disruption of harmony.
On Monday morning, the situation turned violent and there was a clash between the people from two communities, resulting in the death of 35-year-old Shujaoddin, injuries to many due to stone pelting and damage to scores of shops. The situation calmed down after the police force reached there.
“Police knew that something was boiling in the town and they should have avoided the communal tension. All people here were apprehensive when RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders were conducting meetings and were describing this marriage as ‘Love Jihad’. Police too was aware of their meetings and instigation but they were relaxed and turned a blind eye,” a source from the town told TwoCircles.net.
Maulana Hafiz Nadeem Siddique, president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (Maharashtra) termed the incident as a pre-planned conspiracy to ignite violence under the garb of ‘Love Jihad’. A local newspaper quoted him saying: “Muzaffarnagar in UP witnessed similar violence that was ignited using same terminology of ‘Love Jihad’. This seems to be the same attempt by saffron activists to spread violence against Muslims here.”
“RSS activists had proclaimed in last week’s meeting to teach a lesson to Muslims. If police had been vigilant after their meeting, such violence could have been easily prevented,” he added.
Washim SP Anita Salunkhe said the situation is under control and peace prevailed in the town now.
Nasik burning
Meanwhile, one person was killed and another youth injured in police firing after communal violence broke out in tribal-dominated Harsul town near Nashik on Tuesday when a tribal-dominated mob took out a morcha demanding police action against a local Muslim over the death of a youth on July 7.
The mob was demanding arrest of the Muslim person, in whose well the body of Bhagirath Tulshiram Chowdhury was found. When police reached the agitation spot, their contingent was attacked by the tribals in which Additional Superintendent of Police Prashant Mohite, Deputy Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Mundhe and eight other officers were injured.
The mob also allegedly tried to burn down a petrol pump prompting police to open fire. A man identified as Ramdas Bundhad was killed in the firing.
Anticipating violence, Muslim persons in the area had their families to safer places on Monday night.
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