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Communal violence in Alirajpur district again

18th July, 2015. 10:00 pm

I was informed by a contact that some miscreants in Katthiwada town of
Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh were creating communal tension. I
confirmed this with two other sources and then communicated it to Mr. Vipin
Maheshwari, who is the IG Police for Indore range. He thanked me for
sharing this information and told me that the SP was on his way to
Katthiwara. Later, at night, I found out that SP held a meeting of local
people and a Peace March was done in Katthiwada.

I thought that was the end of the incident and there was no need to panic
any more. I was hoping things would normalize so Muslims of Katthiwada
would be able to celebrate Eid in peace. Unfortunately, that did not
happen. I received phone calls again from the area today informing me about
shops being burnt in Dhyana village near Katthiwada. As I write this
message, I am getting information about looting and burning of shops in
nearby villages Ambar and Nakti. It is heartbreaking to think of the
situation of Muslims in these villages who have been waiting to celebrate
Eid.

As usual, I am requesting all concerned citizens to pay attention to this
and do what we can do in such times. I request Indore friends and activists
to meet IG Police and Commissioner. I request Bhopal friends to convey it
to DGP Mr. Surendra Singh and ADG (Intelligence) Mr. Sarbjeet Singh and
send a delegation to meet both of them.

I request all concerned citizens to phone up and send messages to Alirajpur
Collector (DM) Mr. Shekhar Verma (Mobile-9926581755) and SP Mr. Sourabh
Kumar (8871328954) asking them to restore peace in the area and restore law
and order as soon as possible.

It seems that district administration and Police have failed to provide
safety and reassurance to the minority community in the area. There is a
dense forest between Katthiwada and Bhabra (place where great martyr
Chandra Shekhar Azad was born) which is being used by the rioters as their
hideout and base. If you remember, Alirajpur was on communal fire in April
first week this year also, but with the active and timely intervention of
all concerned people things were brought under control just in few days.
Friends form Bhopal met the DGP. Many people called up and put pressure on
the Police and administration. Senior Police officers took cognizance of
the situation and showed their regard to the Constitution and secular
fabric of our country. Incidentally, Alirajpur was a part of Jhabua
district before it was given a district status, and Jhabua has recently
been in news because of the death of a journalist Akshay Singh during
Vyapam investigation.

Please take immediate action and help in restoring peace for all.

Vineet Tiwari

General Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Progressive Writers’ Association
9818175205/9893192740