Baloda Bazaar. The agitation of the Satnami community against the damage to the religious pillar in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar district turned violent on Monday. During this, the agitators set several vehicles on fire and also vandalized a government office. On the intervening night of 15 and 16 May, some unidentified people vandalized the ‘Jaitakhambh’ worshipped by the Satnami community located in the sacred Amar cave in Girodpuri Dham of Balodabazar district.
In protest against the incident, the Satnami community had called for a protest at Dussehra ground here on Monday and a siege of the District Magistrate’s office. A large number of people had gathered here to join this protest. The police had put up barricades at several places to stop the protesters from moving towards the District Magistrate’s office.
Balodabazar Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar said, “The Satnami community had called for a peaceful protest, but the protest turned violent. The protesters pelted stones at the policemen and broke the barricades and entered the District Magistrate’s office. They pelted stones at the office building and set fire to several vehicles parked there.” Kumar said that efforts are on to control the situation.
In the video circulated on social media, the protesters are seen setting several motorcycles, cars and a building on fire and the mob is also setting a fire brigade vehicle on fire. The video also shows clashes between protesters and policemen. The state government has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident of vandalism of ‘Jaitkhambh’.
The official said, “On the demand of various organizations and representatives of the Satnami community, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.” Sharma said in a statement this morning that such incidents that disturb social harmony will not be tolerated anywhere in the state and strict action will be taken against the culprits. The Deputy Chief Minister has also requested everyone to maintain social harmony.