Chhattisgarh: 5 Held For Arson Following Communal Violence In Bemetara

Three people have so far died in clashes. While 22-year-old Bhuneshwar Sahu died first on April 8, Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found dead on April 11.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 14 April 2023 5:07 pm

Representative photo

The Chhattisgarh Police arrested five persons on Friday for allegedly setting a house on fire in violence-hit Bemetara district.

In Bemetara district, three people have so far died in clashes. While 22-year-old Bhuneshwar Sahu died first on April 8, Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found dead on April 11. The police said the house that was burnt belonged to the son-in-law of Rahim Mohammad (55) who was found murdered along with his son.

The five have been identified as Ajay Rajak (23), Pravin Kumar Sahu (27), Pradip Rajak (21) and Dinesh Rajak (23), residents of Pendarwani village in neighbouring Khairagarh district and Sandip Sahu (20) of Ramhepur village in adjoin Kabirdham district, Bemetara Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela told PTI.

Violence rocked Biranpur village, some 100 kilometres from state capital Raipur on April 8, leading to the death of Sahu and injuries to three policemen. Two houses were burnt during the statewide 'bandh' (shutdown) called by right-wing organisations on April 10, while the bodies of Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found with multiple injuries at a murum mine on April 11.

One of the houses that was burnt down on the outskirts of the village belonged to Rahim's son-in-law, after which police had registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 34 (common intention).

Later, IPC sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon) and 149 (unlawful assembly) were added in the case.

While 11 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in the murder of Sahu, the police have not yet got leads in the murder of Rahim and Idul.

On Friday, Durg Range Inspector General of Police Anand Chhabra announced a reward of Rs 30,000 for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the murders of Rahim and his son. Incidentally, on Thursday, the Bemetara SP had announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for the same.

(With PTI inputs)