Baloda Bazar Violence: BJP Fact-Finding Team Cites Opposition Involvement in Protest Logistics
Raipur
A five-member fact-finding team from the Chhattisgarh BJP visited Baloda Bazar to gather information regarding the recent arson and vandalism at the district collectorate and the SP office. The team, led by Minister Dayaldas Baghel and including members Tankram Verma, Shivratan Sharma, Naveen Markandeya, and Ranjana Sahu, found preliminary evidence suggesting a planned conspiracy involving anti-social elements.
The arson, which occurred on June 10, 2024, involved protesters from the Satnami community setting fire to over 200 vehicles within the district collectorate premises. This was reportedly in response to the alleged vandalization of their religious symbol, the Jaitkham, located in Amargufa (Mahkoni), about 5 kilometers from Giroudpuri. The team also visited the damaged Jaitkham and collected information regarding both the arson and vandalism incidents, meeting with victims and discussing the essential aspects related to the incident with relevant individuals.
In their preliminary investigation, the BJP team found that the logistics of travel and food arrangements for the large number of protesters from distant places suggested involvement by the opposition. This claim will be further investigated. They noted that the ongoing actions by the authorities are progressing in the right direction, with a focus on monitoring further developments and ensuring justice for the victims. The government is committed to taking strict action against the culprits, and discussions have been held with officials to ensure compensation for those who have suffered personal losses.
In response to the unrest, the Chhattisgarh government transferred District Collector KL Chauhan and Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar. IAS officer Deepak Soni has been appointed as the new District Collector, and IPS officer Vijay Agarwal is the new Superintendent of Police. Section 144 has been imposed across the district to prevent further unrest, and the state police have formed ten special teams to conduct an impartial investigation of the violence.
The BJP team emphasized that no innocent individuals should suffer due to the incident. They reiterated that society has recognized the faces involved in the conspiracy and is demanding strict action against them.
