New Delhi: Clashes erupted in Telangana’s communally-sensitive Bhainsa town in Nirmal district on March 7 evening when two groups resorted to stone-pelting, which left 12 injured, including a policeman and a journalist. Union home minister Amit Shah has taken stock of the matter, and the situation is currently stable.
According to PTI, tension began to brew when two motorcycle riders ran into an argument over a road rage issue. The issue soon escalated into a full-blown clash with several others joining the argument. People began hurling stones. Several vehicles were also torched. Zulfekar Gully, Kabir Road, Ganesh Road, and Medhar Road areas in the town have been affected, as per local reports.
As many as 50 people have been taken into custody and cases have been filed against them. Prohibitory orders and Section 144 have been imposed in the town. The district police is reviewing CCTV footage to carry out the investigation, India Today quoted the Nirmal district superintendent of police as saying.
Meanwhile, Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao appealed to people in the town to maintain peace and not to fall prey to rumours and hate-mongering spearheaded by divisive forces. He also took to Twitter and said that the Telangana government will not tolerate lawlessness.
My appeal to the people of Bhainsa not to fall prey to rumours and hate mongering spearheaded by divisive forces
Govt will stand by you to maintain law and order effectively
— KTR (@KTRTRS) March 8, 2021
Peace & harmony is fundamental to the progress of civilised society
Have requested Home Minister @mahmoodalitrs Garu & @TelanganaDGP Garu to take stern action to bring the perpetrators of violence in Bhainsa to justice
Telangana Govt will not tolerate lawlessness in any form
— KTR (@KTRTRS) March 8, 2021
On the other hand, Minister of State for home affairs, G. Kishan Reddy, who hails from Telangana, said that Amit Shah had called him to inquire about the incident and the prevailing situation in the town. Taking to Twitter, he said:
Hon’ble Home Minister Sri @AmitShah Ji called me to enquire about the Bhainsa(Telangana) incident & the prevailing situation.
Spoke to @TelanganaDGP yet again, during which he apprised me & assured that the situation is now under control & that the offenders will be nabbed soon.
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) March 8, 2021
Meanwhile, local Nizamabad MP, Dharmapuri Aravind, who is from the BJP, pinned the blame for clashes on AIMIM workers, as Bhainsa’s civic body is run by the MIM.
(With PTI inputs)