Miscreants set many vehicles and collectorate set on fire in Chhattisgar's Balodabazar

As the demonstrators passing through the Balodabazar of Chhattisgarh,turned violent.The agitation of the Satnami community in protest against the damage to a religious pillar Jaitkhambh in Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh turned violent on Monday.

As per reports,thousands of protesters who took to the streets entered the collectorate and vandalized and some portions of it was set  on fire. The protesters set many vehicles on fire too.The state's Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident of damaging the Jaitkhambh. But the people of the Satnami community were not satisfied with this and they want a CBI inquiry into the entire incident.

Last month, on the intervening night of 15 and 16 May, some unidentified people damaged the sacred symbol Jaitkhambh in the holy Amar Cave, the Tapabhoomi of Saint Amar Das, located in Mahkouni village of Girodpuri in Balodabazar district. In protest against the incident, the Satnami community had called for a protest at Dussehra ground here on Monday and a siege of the District Magistrate's office.

A large number of people had gathered here to join this protest. The police had put up barricades at several places to prevent the protesters from moving towards the District Magistrate's office. But a large number of protesters entered the Collectorate and broke the security cordon and started vandalism. Not only this, the mob also committed arson in the Collectorate.

Balodabazar Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar said, "The Satnami Samaj had called for a peaceful protest, but the protest turned violent. The protesters pelted stones at the policemen and broke the barricade and entered the District Magistrate's office. They pelted stones at the office building and set fire to several vehicles parked there." Kumar said that efforts are on to control the situation.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in his "X" handle said, "The incident of violence in Baloda Bazar is worrying. If the government and administration had taken necessary steps on time, the anger of the people could have been prevented from going to this extent. The Satnami community is a community that follows the path of peace and harmony shown by Baba Ghasidas. I appeal to the people of the community to maintain peace."

Meanwhile,the state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident of vandalism of 'Jaitkhambh'. A senior official said, "On the demand of various organizations and representatives of the Satnami community, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident." Sharma said in a statement this morning that such incidents that spoil social harmony will not be tolerated anywhere in the state and strict action will be taken against the culprits. The Deputy Chief Minister has also requested everyone to maintain social harmony.