What started as a petty altercation in Tarana, Ujjain district, exploded into full-blown communal riots, leading to 20 arrests and a strict curfew by Friday. Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma detailed the measures to restore order in the tense town.
At the heart of the turmoil is the Thursday night assault on VHP worker Sohail Thakur and his aide. Ambushed viciously, they suffered critical wounds and were referred to Ujjain hospital. Police have booked six—Sappan Mirza, Ishaan Mirza, Shadab, Salman, Riyazwan, and Naveed—with five apprehended and interrogations ongoing.
Friday saw backlash: right-wing protests turned violent with bus vandalisms and injuries. Afternoon prayers fueled more arson on buses, shop lootings, and pelting stones, prompting a robust police crackdown.
Heavy deployment, relentless foot patrols, and BNS curfew Section 163 now blanket Tarana. CCTV scans target rumor-mongers, while colony-wide appeals via speakers promote restraint. Traffic flows again in key zones.
SP Sharma reported controlled conditions post community meets. ‘Attempted murder cases against six; we’re acting firmly on culprits,’ he said, prioritizing peace.
Shuttered markets and fortified sensitive areas mark the day’s reality. As the injured recover steadily, police vigilance persists, aiming to douse embers of discord and prevent recurrence in this Madhya Pradesh flashpoint.