Baloda Bazar/Raipur
Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar witnessed violence leading to the suspension of the Collector and SP. Now, retired High Court Justice C B Bajpai will investigate Giraudpuri’s Jaitkham damage. This single-member investigation team will submit its report within three months, focusing on six specific points.
On Friday, Bhupesh Baghel, Charan Das Mahant, Deepak Baij, and several Congress members traveled from Raipur to Baloda Bazar. They aim to investigate the situation and report back to the party. Prior to their departure, Bhupesh Baghel commented, “The Baloda Bazar violence was a major failure of the government. The office kept burning while the Collector and SP fled through the back door.”
Earlier, a seven-member Congress investigation team arrived at the incident site. Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahariya, the team’s coordinator and former minister, noted that even an FIR was not filed when the Jaitkham was damaged. He mentioned that the community had demanded an investigation and action, yet the government did not respond. He further said, “If a committee had been formed earlier for the investigation, such a major incident would not have happened.”
Before heading to the incident site, leaders visited the Satnami community’s religious site at Giraudpuri for prayers at the Amar Gufa.
The fact finding team includes State Congress President Deepak Baij, Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, several senior leaders, and all MLAs. As he was leaving Raipur, Dahariya accused the BJP of persecuting the Satnami community more than Aurangzeb did. He asserted, “BJP has always been against the Satnami community.”
In response, the BJP accused the Congress of instigating the chaos. BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo stated, “The Congress is engaging in cheap and petty politics over the violence.” He claimed that conspirators used the Satnami community as instruments to achieve their political goals.
The Congress fact finding committee also visited the Satnami community’s religious site at Giraudpuri and offered prayers. Shiv Dahariya reiterated, “If the government had formed an investigation committee earlier, such a major incident would not have occurred.”
Rudra Guru demanded an apology from the minister, threatening to file a defamation case otherwise.
After facing accusations by the government, former minister Guru Rudra Kumar said that three ministers had accused him of conspiracy, prompting him to offer his arrest. He said, “If the ministers do not apologize, I will file a defamation case.” Guru Rudra Kumar visited the Raipur SSP office on Wednesday to present himself for arrest.
He also suspected the BJP of conspiring to defame the Satnami community. He claimed, “The protest was peaceful, but the incident was a conspiracy to break the community.” He expressed a desire to uncover the truth.
Earlier, the government directed the blame for the violence towards a political conspiracy by the Congress. They accused Congress legislators, former ministers, and leaders of inciting people and demanded that those responsible for the violence compensate for the damages.
According to reports, the Jaitkham at Baghin Gufa, located 5 km from the Satnami community’s Giraudpuri Dham, was damaged on the night of May 15. Thousands from the community had been demonstrating at Dussehra Ground near the Collectorate for several days to protest.
Police arrested three individuals in connection with the incident and sent them to jail. However, protesters claimed that those arrested were not the real culprits and accused the police of shielding the guilty. On Monday, during a protest, the situation escalated into violence.
The miscreants set fire to 75 bikes, 20 cars, and two fire engines. They vandalized vehicles at the Collectorate and set the building on fire, destroying several important documents. A white flag was hoisted on the flagpole in front of the Collector’s office.
Clashes occurred between the protesters and police, resulting in injuries to some police personnel and others. Deputy CM Vijay Sharma visited the site late Monday night to assess the situation. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai ordered the arrest of the miscreants.
The investigation continues as the community seeks justice and answers for the incidents that transpired. The appointed officers have a three-month deadline to provide their findings and recommendations.
