A violent confrontation erupted in Sarafa Bazar on September 27, igniting communal tensions as members of the Jain community were attacked by Muslim traders over a protracted shop dispute. The altercation, which involved physical assaults and abusive language, has not only left several individuals injured but also sparked outrage within the local communities, leading to heightened police presence and demands for justice.
The clash occurred around 4 PM when a court commission arrived to inspect a disputed property located in the bustling Katra Mochiyan area of Sarafa Bazar. This property dispute has been the source of ongoing tension between the two communities for nearly two years, with legal proceedings pending in court. Local sources indicated that previous arguments had escalated to violence, creating an atmosphere of animosity.
On the day of the incident, as the court-appointed commission was surveying the site, an argument reignited between the two parties. Eyewitness accounts reveal that Mohd Rashid, along with his brothers Wajid and Asif, from the Muslim community, instigated the violence against Ayush Jain and other members of the Jain community. Witnesses described scenes of chaos where belts were used as weapons, and kicks and punches were exchanged.
“It’s a shameful incident that reflects poorly on our community,” said one onlooker who wished to remain anonymous. “It all started over a shop, but it escalated into something far worse.”
The heart of the conflict lies in a property dispute regarding a shop in the Katra Mochiyan area. Ayush Jain, a local businessman, claims that Rashid and his associates have been attempting to unlawfully occupy the roof of his shop and the space behind it, leading to frequent confrontations. “This has been an ongoing issue for the last two years. We’ve tried to resolve it peacefully, but every attempt has ended in argument and hostility,” Ayush explained.
The tensions reached a boiling point when the court commission visited to assess the situation, and the resulting altercation left one young man severely injured, suffering a serious head injury. Others involved sustained various injuries from the brawl, prompting urgent medical attention.
Following the violent outburst, local authorities were called to the scene. The police arrived promptly, attempting to diffuse the situation and restore order. They conducted medical examinations for the injured parties and arrested the accused later that night. A total of three individuals—Mohd Rashid, Wajid, and Asif—were taken into custody based on Ayush Jain’s complaint.
Circle Officer (CO) City, Vyom Bindal, confirmed the police’s actions, stating, “Around 4 PM, a fight broke out over a shop dispute in front of the court commission. The police acted swiftly on the basis of the complaint received and arrested the individuals involved. The injured were taken to the district hospital for medical care. We have deployed additional police forces in the area to ensure safety and prevent further disturbances.”
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