Ujjain’s Tarana town witnessed a violent resurgence on Friday, with two buses torched and stone-pelting rampage after prayers, stoking communal fires. Shops faced destruction as heavy police forces scrambled to quell the disorder in Madhya Pradesh’s tense hotspot.
Roots lie in a January 22 night skirmish over a bus right-of-way, morphing swiftly from brawl to bitter group rivalry. Vandalism, pelting, and blazes followed. Friday’s escalation saw arsonists target public transport, terrorizing locals.
Swift police intervention stabilized the scene. SP Pradeep Sharma announced murder attempt charges on six men, vowing relentless pursuit of justice and calling for communal harmony.
Central to the fray: Sohail Thakur’s savage beating from behind, with grave head wounds sending him to Ujjain hospital—now recovering steadily. FIR targets Sappan Mirza, Ishaan Mirza, Shadab (Idli), Salman Mirza, Rizwan Mirza, and Naveed; five detained, interrogations ongoing.
Echoing past incidents—like a VHP worker’s attack sparking bus demolitions—Friday brought market shutdowns and vigilant patrols. Hindu activists blockaded the station, pushing for accused demolitions and parades, persisting with devotional chants amid negotiations.
Ongoing CCTV probes promise more detentions. Social media buzzes with purported footage of infernos, pending verification. Festival timing prompted elite STF deployment and 300 cops on site. Officials implore restraint to safeguard peace.