Seventeen people have been arrested so far following clashes between two communities in the city on Wednesday. Prohibitive orders under Section 144 would remain in force, Inspector General of Police (IGP) (Raipur range) GP Singh informed on Thursday. “All is well and the situation is under control. We have arrested 17 under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and further arrests could be made,” the IGP told The Pioneer.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made in Dhamtari with additional forces deployed in the city. Various fixed pickets have been installed on different locations and constant patrolling is being done, Singh said. Police forces from neighbouring districts of Gariaband, Raipur, Balod and Kanker have been brought into Dhamtri after violence broke out on Wednesday. They are still camping in the city.
Meanwhile shops, schools and other institutions remained closed on the second day after the violence erupted between members of two communities In the meantime, Collector, Dhamtari, Bheem Singh called a meeting of district peace keeping committee and appealed to the members to maintain peace. He also exhorted them not to believe rumours and post messages on social networking sites carefully.
The IGP also met the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ashok Sikre who was injured in stone pelting incident. “The condition of ASP is stable and very soon he would be discharged from the hospital,” IGP said adding, if anyone tries to disturb peace of city, they will have to face stern action. According to the police, a dispute took place when a girl who got married to boy of another community against wishes of her family last year reached SDM’s office to register her statement. The girl was reportedly being forced by her parents to marry someone from their community.
Meanwhile, some youths belonging to a certain organization reached SDM office and engaged with persons accompanying the girl. Soon, both sides became violent and damaged some shops around SDM office. They also clashed with police which had reached to control the situation after with curfew was clamped in the city.