Communal violence swept in Dutkaiyya, a village in Chattisgarh’s Gariaband district, on Sunday, leading to arson and vandalism, with at least ten houses belonging to the Muslim community and vehicles set ablaze.
Police said the violence was ignited by a series of incidents in the early hours of Sunday, during which four people were allegedly assaulted at separate locations and two were robbed of their mobile phones. The accused have been identified as Arif Qureshi (18) and Salim Khan (23), both residents of Dutkaiyya, and Imran Siddiqui (18) of Raipur.
Following the incident, on the same day, at 3 pm, a mob allegedly belonging to Bajrang Dal attacked Muslim community houses in the village.
“They came around 3–4 a.m. Bajrang Dal members gathered together and started vandalizing and setting things on fire. They issued rape threats to women, and the women were also assaulted,” a victim, on account of anonymity, told FoEJ Media.
“There isn’t even a piece of cloth as small as a handkerchief left in our home; everything has been burnt,” he said.
“Women and children were also beaten,” he added.
House Set Ablaze with Man Trapped Inside
Anwar, another victim, and his family were on their way to meet a prospective bride for Anwar’s brother when they were stopped and told they were not allowed to proceed.
Soon after, riots broke out, and Anwar was trapped inside his home when it was set ablaze and was later rescued.
“We were going to see a prospective bride for Anwar’s brother when we were stopped and told we could not proceed. Before we could understand what was happening, the violence broke out,” Anwar’s family told FoEJ Media.
“Anwar was inside the house when it was set on fire, and he was somehow pulled out,” Anwar’s family told FoEJ Media.
“He was beaten so severely with iron rods on his back that there was hardly any part of his body left without injuries,” the family added.
“Both his (Anwar’s) arms have been fractured,” the family said.
“Every household was completely looted—nothing was spared. Utensils, jewelry, and all other valuables were taken,” the family added.
“Anwar’s father was attacked with a knife and stabbed multiple times. His injuries led to an infection, and he has now undergone surgery,” the family said.
“The Madrassa’s CCTV Camera was Smashed…”
The village has a population of 13 Muslim houses, surrounded by at least 100 other houses belonging to other communities. The families belonging to the Muslim community had installed CCTV cameras outside their houses for their safety, which were allegedly vandalized by the mob before the attack.
“We had installed a CCTV camera outside our house for safety, but it was smashed. Our home was looted, all valuables were destroyed, and then the house was set on fire,” victims told FoEJ Media.
“The water supply was cut off, and the electricity was disconnected,” they added.
Victims further alleged that a local madrassa was vandalized and religious books were burnt.
“The madrassa’s CCTV camera was smashed, and the Quran kept there was set on fire,” they alleged.
Following the violence, more than 100 police personnel have been deployed in the village. An FIR has been registered against several unidentified individuals for attempted murder, rioting, and arson.
