Communal violence erupts in Jainoor as tribal woman assaulted, properties set ablaze
The town, which has an estimated population of about 9,000, was engulfed in thick smoke for over three hours
By S. Harpal Singh Published on 4 Sep 2024 1:10 PM GMT
Adilabad: A protest by tribal organisations against an auto-rickshaw driverās alleged attempt to rape and murder a tribal woman in Jainoor town of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad District turned violent on Wednesday, leading to communal tension prompting authorities to impose curfew.
Prohibitory orders under 163 BNSS have been issued by district administration in Jainoor town and a ban on the internet was enforced in the area as a precautionary measure to avoid spread of the rumours and fake news. The situation has been brought under control, a senior police official told, adding additional forces have been deployed and that Rapid Action Force (RAF) is also being called in.
The town, which has an estimated population of about 9,000, was engulfed in thick smoke for over three hours as shops were burning on the main road linking Jainoor to Asifabad district head quarters and Utnoor in Adilabad district. The tribals included men and women came in groups and the road leading to Sirpur (U) mandal headquarters in utter chaos. Some agitated youth burnt shops and commercial establishments and also pelted stones on a religious place. The situation turned into conflict between two communities. The violence event has its roots in a ghastly incident that saw an attempted rape and merciless battering a 45 year old tribal woman from Devuguda. According to police, the accused, one Shaik Maqdoom of Sonupatelguda, tried to rape the woman near Raghapur while she was going to her mother's place alone.
The accused beat her up savagely injuring her on her face and other parts of the body and left her on the road assuming her to be dead. Villagers passing by had her admitted to hospital and she was able to tell about her plight only on 2 September. The victim has been shifted to Hyderabad for treatment. She is reported to be out of danger.
Various Adivasi organisations had staged a rasta roko on 3 September demanding immediate arrest and capital punishment to the accused. They had given a call for Jainoor bandh today and the town was observing the bandh when the irate Adivasis descended upon and went on a rampage.
The wooden baton wielding Adivasis mainly came from Jainoor, Sirpur (U)and Lingapur mandal. They arrive from different directions around noon. Additional force from Mancherial, Nirmal and Adilabad districts arrived in the afternoon and controlled the violence. Tension and dark smoke, however, continued to grip the mandal headquarter even after cessation of violence.
Police held talks with community elders and pacified the situation. Special teams have been formed and investigations on incidents of arson and violence are on to identify offenders and strict action will be taken against them as per law. Police appealed to both communities to maintain restraint as the accused had already arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
