Over 50 arrests so far; BJP leaders were stopped outside the city, sat on dharna at Kawardha
Kawardha:Over 50 arrests so far; BJP leaders were stopped outside the city, sat on dharna, said – wrongly arrest of our workers
There was an unusual silence on the streets of Kawardha district on the first day of Navratri on Thursday
An unusual peace prevailed in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh on the first day of Navratri on Thursday as curfew continued for the third consecutive day post the riots.
The police had identified 70 people and arrested around 60 of them for their alleged involvement in the riots, till late Wednesday night. Whereas video footage is being examined to identify others involved in the incident.
The district administration was not in a mood to relax the curfew on Thursday in view of tense situation prevailing in the Kawardha city. The administration will review the situation and take further decision on relaxation of curfew.
In the meantime, many BJP leaders, including the former ministers, had sat on a dharna outside after being denied entry into the Kawardha city.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were protesting the lathi charge on the innocent people during the riots. Due to this the activists had come out to give arrests on Thursday afternoon, but were stopped by the police. On the other hand, BJP leaders have started protesting against the arrest of the workers.
Stones pelted during riots were collected in houses
Former minister Chandrakar said- IG behaving like Congress leaders
Former minister Ajay Chandrakar, Shivratan Sharma said that the BJP leaders going to Kawardha to meet the victims were stopped by the police from entering the city. In protest, these leaders sat on a dharna on the road itself. Ajay Chandrakar said that IG VivekanandSinha is behaving like Congress leaders here. We will complain against Sinha in Kawardha police station. “We have also come to give arrest in protest against the wrongful arrest of our workers, but we are not being allowed to enter the city,” he said.
Idol installed only at 7 places on Navratri
The riots have also cast a shadow over the Navratrifestival, which began on Thursday. All markets and shops in the district were closed even on Thursday. Unlike previous years, only seven idols were installed. Usuually 25 idols are installed every year at different places. This time permission has been given by the administration at only 7 places such as Gupta Mohalla, in front of Janpad office, Karpatri Chowk, Union Chowk, Thakur Para, Bahadurganj Ward and KailashNagar. Only 3 people can accompany the statues. For that they will have to get pass from the competent authority.
Jyoti Kalash will burn, but the general public is not allowed
The district administration has given conditional exemption to temple committees and Durga Pujacommittees in view of Navratri. After this, Kalashinstallation and lamp lighting will be done in temples and pandals, but the general public and devotees will not be allowed. The office bearers of the committee will be able to stay for 24 hours, but with passes issue by the administration.
Maximum 15 persons of temple committee and 2 persons of Durgotsav committee will be able to stay for lamp lighting and arrangements. They will not be allowed to move out of the premises.
Only 3 authorised-pass holders will be able to move from KawardhaNagar to temple and pandal for management at a time.
The entry of visitors and other persons will be prohibited for Jyoti Kalash Darshan. Only the temple management committee will be responsible for lighting the flame, worship and aarti. No separate arrangement will be made for the seating of spectators in front of the pavilion and the pandal. There will be no banquet, bhandara, jagrata or cultural programmes. Charanamrit, Bhog and Prasad will also not be distributed.
Speakers will be allowed to be played in PMPO 200 watts in low voice at the time of morning and evening aarti.
Home delivery of worship material will be done, list of shopkeepers released
Puja material can be procured only through home delivery. The administration has given consent to 14 ration grocery and 6 wholesale grocery shopkeepers for home delivery.
Glimpse of developments taking place in Kawardha
Internet services snapped in 3 districts of Chhattisgarh, 70 persons were identified while 59 arrested in Kawardha riots. According to officials sources, the violence was planned and the miscreants were called from outside.
The BJP delegation who had gone to meet the injured in the riot-hit Kawardha, was stopped in the circuit house itself.
Stone pelting, lathi-charge, curfew imposed in Kawardha, cars kept outside houses were vandalized. All educational institutions in Kawardha were closed on Thursday: In view of the tension in the city, all online-offline examinations were canceled.
Section 144 was imposed. Riots erupted over hoisting respective flags by two groups, 8 people were injured, according College who said that he will take take action.
