Communal riot: Polarisation grows, social boycott of victims in MP’s Dhar

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: The communal riot in Dhar has not only dealt a big blow to the families whose houses and property was set afire, but they are also facing social boycott due to growing polarisation, said a fact-finding team that visited the area after the recent riot.

The team visited Pipalia and Gandhwani, the two places in Dhar district that witnessed communal violence recently. “The situation is alarming as heightened communal polarization has made it difficult for people—communities are more segregated and are now avoiding business with other”, said team members at a press conference on Friday.

“In Pipalia, mob resorted to arson, looting shops and houses apart from assaulting women. A place of worship was also attacked and damaged and religious texts were burnt. However, administration has failed to act against the rioters,” said Sajid Qureshi, the Bhopal-based leader who met victims.

Qureshi said that justice ought to be done with the victims and the rioters must be arrested. “We will meet Chief Minister, Home minister and all the top officials apart from taking the issue to Minorities’ Commission”, he said.

Committee member Anil Dhiman said that there is an atmosphere of fear and no attempt has been to improve the situation. Also, financial compensation needs to be given to the victims, he said.

LS Herdenia, the Rashtriya Secular Manch (RSM) head said that it was a dangerous situation that people were polarized to such an extent and there is need for immediate intervention. “We want the government to provide full compensation and essential commodities to victims as people are not even being getting grains because of the social boycott and general fear”.

The fact finding team has also demanded special compensation for families where marriage of girls were scheduled and entire property was damaged or looted during the arson.

They have demanded identification of the persons who are repeatedly involved in communal situations and invoking of National Security Act (NSA) on them.