A violent attack unfolded in Gohta village, Vijaypur, on Wednesday night, following the conclusion of bypoll voting. A group of around 200 assailants reportedly targeted the Dalit community, hurling stones at villagers and setting fire to several homes, a transformer, five electricity poles, and cattle fodder.
As per the local police, a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was vandalised in Vijaypur, initiating public outrage. Despite the unrest in the town, Pappu Singh Yadav, in-charge of the Vijaypur police station, stated that no formal complaints have been filed as of yet, and action will be taken once complaints are received. Authorities have described the incident as part of the “usual election tension.”
A Gohta village resident claimed that incidents are taking place because they refused to accept any voting directions from others. “On Wednesday night, stones were pelted, transformers and fodder was set on fire which has left the community feeling threatened without police support.”
As reported by the Free Press Journals, villagers said, “Elections should be fair, but this one has been influenced by violence and fear. We have never witnessed anything like this before.”
Similar incidents of harassment and violence have been reported in Sikahra village, where Dalit and tribal families were allegedly targeted with threats and attacks. In one case, a woman was assaulted while passing through the area, and other villagers were reportedly intimidated as per The Free Press Journals.
Despite video footage showing two police vehicles at the scene, authorities have stated that no formal complaints have been filed. Villagers have raised concerns about why no action has been taken against the attackers, fueling fear and unrest throughout the locality.
In Sikahra village, locals claim that members of the Rawat community are resorting to violence in retaliation against those who voted against the candidate they had endorsed. On Tuesday, ahead of the election, residents reported incidents of physical assaults and even gunfire.
