Tension Erupts in MP Town After Youth's Murder

Synopsis

Tension escalated in Baktara, Madhya Pradesh after a youth was found murdered. The incident sparked protests and violence, leading to police intervention. The victim, Bablesh Chouhan, had a dispute with a friend from the Dalit community, resulting in his death. Authorities are investigating the situation amidst rising communal tensions.

Key Takeaways

Violent murder of Bablesh Chouhan in Baktara.
Community outrage led to roadblocks and property damage.
Police dispatched Quick Response Force to restore order.
Prior tensions related to Dalit community in the region.
District Magistrate confirmed separate nature of incidents.

Bhopal, March 7 (NationPress) Tension erupted in Baktara town of Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district on Friday morning when a young man was discovered dead.

The police reported that the youth, belonging to the Kirar community, had been stabbed to death, igniting protests as furious community members blocked roads with the deceased's body.

Unknown assailants also set fire to properties and hurled stones at law enforcement.

The victim, identified as Bablesh Chouhan, was approximately 30 years old.

By Friday evening, local officials called for reinforcements to restore order.

District Magistrate Balaguru K informed IANS that calm has been restored.

"We quickly deployed the Quick Response Force from Bhopal along with additional personnel from nearby police stations. The victim had a dispute with a friend from the Dalit community. They had been drinking together the previous evening when a verbal disagreement escalated into violence, resulting in both stabbing one another. The friend, Sanjay Ahirwar, managed to reach Shahganj police station despite his injuries and filed a report against Chouhan. An FIR was registered, but tensions escalated upon the discovery of Chouhan's body on Friday morning," he stated.

Ahirwar, after notifying the police, sought treatment at a hospital in Hoshangbad and was admitted. He was later arrested as his actions were determined to have led to Chouhan's death, according to the District Magistrate.

Just days prior, a similar distressing incident had caused unrest in the town after the Dalit community experienced a boycott. A Dalit family faced repercussions for building a house near influential residents in Baktara, leading to reports that the entire Dalit population was denied ration supplies. The influential group even threatened a fine of Rs 1 lakh on anyone assisting the Dalit community.

Allegations surfaced that members of an upper caste convened a Panchayat and mandated that Dalits be denied access to essential provisions including ration, water, flour, pulses, and other groceries. They also declared that members of the community should not be employed for labor, under threat of a fine.

The swift action of the district administration had temporarily resolved the previous issue.

The District Magistrate clarified that both incidents are distinct. "Previously, there were conflicts with the Kirar community. The incident on Friday involved a dispute between two friends, regardless of their community backgrounds," he concluded.