Chhattisgarh communal clash: Tensions simmered for months before erupting

Meanwhile, the family of Bhuneshwar Sahu, who died in Saturday’s violence, has alleged that while police personnel injured in the clashes were taken to hospitals, no one came forward to help their son.

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According to residents of Biranpur village, less than 70 km from the state capital Raipur, tensions have been brewing since January, when Sahu community members held a meeting over instances of interfaith marriages, appealing to Hindus to cut ties with the Muslim community.

Bhuneshwar’s father Ishwar Sahu, 45, recalled: “Most villagers attended it. They said do not eat at their homes, do not do business with them. Tum ungli doge toh woh log haath pakdenge (if you offer them your finger, they will grab your hand). This was due to the interfaith marriages happening in our village.”

Biranpur has around 200 Muslims and 1,000 Hindus, of which 700 are from the Sahu community. According to locals, in the past two decades, around a dozen interfaith marriages have taken place, including one recently.

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In his attack on the Bhupesh Baghel government, Arun Sao, state in-charge of the BJP, also mentioned the Sahu community. “People from the Muslim community have brutally murdered an innocent man from the Sahu community. This is the height of evil. An attempt is being made to turn Chhattisgarh into Taliban under Bhupesh Baghel’s administration, but the public will not allow this to happen and will give you (Baghel) an answer,” he said.

Sushil Anand Shukla, Chhattisgarh Congress media cell chief, said: “BJP is trying to spoil the atmosphere further by baking their political bread. Calling for a shutdown in Chhattisgarh on the basis of this incident is highly objectionable and condemnable. Attempts to spread unrest in the entire state on the basis of a particular incident will never be tolerated.”

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A day after the violence, security has been clamped down in the area, with 700 personnel from five districts at the spot and five barricades put up around 10 km from the village to stop anyone from outside from entering.

Superintendent of Police I Kalyan Elesela said: “Around 500 people from right-wing groups and Sahu samaj tried to enter but we stopped them to ensure matters do not escalate.”

The outfits have also given a bandh call in the district on Monday, and activists were seen making rounds of markets asking people to keep shops closed.

Recalling the events of Saturday, officials said that around 11 am, a fight between two teenagers left one of them, a Hindu, with a cut on his hand. Following this, the villagers called a meeting.

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“It was during this meeting that the disturbance started, sensing which the Sarpanch called the police. Four personnel rushed to the spot but the situation had worsened by then,” said Bemetara Collector Padum Singh Alma.

By the time the four personnel reached the locality where violence had flared, stones were flying from both sides. One of them, a sub-inspector nearing retirement, suffered serious head injuries. The team had to retreat and reinforcements were called in. It was around this time, officials say, that Bhuneshwar was attacked.

When The Indian Express visited Bhuneshwar’s mud house on Sunday, his family members said their son was left to die.

His mother Satibai said, “My son was sleeping at home. A relative called him, and he and my 17-year-old son left to see what was happening. The injured policemen were taken to a hospital but no one helped my son. My younger son managed to escape but for an hour, he was unable to return to the spot. My son could have lived had someone helped him. We picked up his body from the spot – it took two hours to take him to the hospital.”

His minor brother said they went to the area after hearing that people from his community were under attack.

According to police, 12 people have been arrested under charges of murder and rioting, though the protesting outfits have demanded arrests of as many as 40.

Members of the Muslim community, meanwhile, claimed their neighbourhood had been besieged by the violent mob. Mohamed Safir, 26, showed injuries to his face which he claimed he received after being hit by a brick.

Shubrat Khan, 47, the Imam from the Sunni Hanfi mosque, said, “I have no idea what happened. But I was born and brought up here and have never seen such a communal clash. We will sketch out a plan to ensure such incidents do not repeat.”

The district collector also said peace meetings are planned to restore harmony.