A day after a protest over vandalism of ‘Jaitkham’, a sacred symbol associated with the Satnami community, turned violent, leading to large-scale violence in Balodabazar town of Chhattisgarh, the state government has now transferred key officials of the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district.
The development occurred late night on June 11 after Vijay Agarwal, Superintendent of police (Sp) of Surguja district, was asked to take charge as the new SP of the violence-hit Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, replacing Sadanand Kumar, who has been deputed at police headquarters in Raipur.
In another administrative order issued by the government, IAS Deepak Soni has been deputed as the district magistrate of the town. He will replace Kumar Lal Chauhan, who has been deputed as special secretary at ministry.
The decision to transfer key officials of the violence-hit district comes in the wake of Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai interaction with the representatives of Satnami community on June 11.
“A delegation of Satnami community from across the state met the Chief Minister at his residence today and thanked him for ordering a judicial inquiry into the (Jaithkham Vandalism) incident and expressed their determination to establish harmony. The chief minister assured that no innocent person would be punished,” informed CMO, Chhattisgarh in a post on X.
मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णु देव साय ने सतनामी समाज के प्रमुखों से बाबा घासीदास के शांति और सद्भाव के संदेश को याद करते हुए बलौदाबाजार में शांति स्थापित करने में सबकी ज़िम्मेदारी होने की बात कही। सतनामी समाज प्रमुखों ने घटना पर खेद जताते हुए कहा कि प्रदर्शन के दौरान हिंसा और तोड़फोड़…
— CMO Chhattisgarh (@ChhattisgarhCMO) June 11, 2024
The leaders of the community also expressed regret over the incident (Violence after the protest) and said that those who were indulged in violence and vandalism during the demonstration were anti-social elements, stated the tweet.
Violence during the protest called by Satnami community
Notably, an agitated mob on June 10 set collector’s office and dozens of vehicles stationed at the premises on fire by breaching the security installments over vandalism of the ‘Jaitkham’ in Mahkoni village of Giroudpuri.
The agitators who were earlier assembled in the Dusshera ground to mark their protest against the vandalism episode occurred on the intervening night of May 15-16 in Amar Gufa (cave), a sacred place for Satnamis associated with Guru Amar Das Ji barged into the premises of collector’s office after their agitation became uncontrollable on Monday evening.
The demonstrators also vandalised a number of vehicles and had CCTV cameras installed at separate places on their way to the collectorate, where they set ablaze a number of government offices while also vandalising and torching around 30 four-wheelers parked in the premises. Dozens of two-wheelers stationed at the premises were also set on fire by the mob who also had a brief collision with the police personnel leaving dozens of them injured in the skirmish.
Later on, the state police, after taking control of the situation, launched a massive manhunt to arrest the troublemakers behind the violence, leading to detention of hundreds of them. Further, the district administration has also imposed section 144 in the town in view of preventing any untoward incident till June 16 while heavy deployment of security personnel have been made in the town.
BJP trained guns at Congress
Meanwhile, interacting with the media over the eruption of violence, Minister for health in state government, Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, on Tuesday dropped hints of involvement of workers and leaders of the Congress party behind the violence that unfolded in Balodabazar town on Monday’s afternoon.
Speaking with the News 18 network, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister, Jaiswal, said that they (protestors) had only asked permission for submitting a memorandum that too with a small number of people. However, sensing their intentions, the police and intelligence had made adequate arrangements, Thousands of police personnel were deployed but they gathered in large numbers.
#बलौदाबाजार हिंसा पर बीजेपी का बड़ा आरोप…कांग्रेस ने भड़काया दंगा…हिंसा में कांग्रेस विधायक और पूर्व मंत्री का हाथ…न्यायिक जांच के बाद होगी कार्रवाई…#Chhattisgarh #Raipur #VishnuDeoSai #VijaySharma BJP #Congress@Anshikap24 @Reenu_SY pic.twitter.com/SikEKMEAAB
— News18 Chhattisgarh (@News18CG) June 12, 2024
Initially, it appeared to be a matter exclusively of the Satnami community, though later it was revealed that workers and leaders of the Congress party were part of the agitation and were involved in the act from inside. The act has tarnished the image of the Satnami community and Chhattisgarh, The government, under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will ensure that no accused will be spared.
The allegation made by the BJP leader has surfaced at a time when the leaders of the Congress party, on the other hand, have been accusing the Sai led government of the failing law and order in the state.
Home to millions of members of Satnami community, the state of Chhattisgarh has a wide following of Guru Ghasidas Maharaj, a revered social reformer and founder of the Satnami community, whose preaching are based on strengthening of unity and brotherhood among the masses.
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