Women in Chhattisgarh Recount Horror as Mob Targets Homes in Communal Violence
In a chilling account of communal violence in Chhattisgarh, women whose homes were attacked by a mob in Gariaband district have shared their harrowing experiences. They claim the crowd ignored their desperate pleas for mercy, with some alleging threats of sexual assault that were only averted by timely police intervention.
Police Confirm Arrests, Local Involvement in Dutkaiyya Village Violence
According to police reports, the rioting in Dutkaiyya village was triggered by incidents that occurred in the early hours of Sunday. Four individuals were allegedly assaulted at four different locations, with two victims robbed of their mobile phones. The three accused in these initial incidents have been identified as Arif Qureshi (18) and Salim Khan (23) from Dutkaiyya, and Imran Siddiqui (18) from Raipur.
Later that same day, between 4 pm and 11:30 pm, dozens of villagers allegedly targeted six houses belonging to the minority community. In Dutkaiyya village, which has over 100 families, approximately ten households belong to the minority community.
The Gariaband police have so far arrested seven individuals who were allegedly part of the violent mob. "Some are from the same village and some from another village," explained Gariaband Superintendent of Police Vedvrata Sirmour. "These seven men were involved in attacking the members of the minority community and the police. They were arrested on Tuesday and sent to judicial custody."
Another police officer confirmed that those in the mob were largely locals, and authorities do not suspect the involvement of any right-wing group in the violence.
First-Hand Accounts of Terror and Survival
One woman, who was with her husband and seven-year-old son in one room while five other women were in another room, provided a detailed account of the attack. "When we learnt that the mob was coming, we all locked our rooms," she recalled. "When they tried to make their way inside, I asked them not to kick the door and pleaded with them to leave because there were small children at home."
Despite her pleas, the attackers managed to break the kitchen window. The woman used a cupboard to block the door, but the mob used a gas cylinder to break that open as well. Approximately 15 to 20 young men, armed with swords, sticks, and rods, then entered her room.
"I was terrified, and my seven-year-old son couldn't breathe because he was panicking," she said. "They assaulted my husband in front of our eyes. I put a pillow on his head to save him, but they kept raining blows with a rod. I fell to their feet and begged them to stop, but they said my turn will come next. Then it will be my son's turn."
The woman managed to call the police before the attackers broke her phone. She expressed anguish over the targeting of families, asking, "Whoever does wrong must be punished, but why seek revenge on their families?"
She further alleged that she was dragged to the hall and threatened with sexual assault, but police arrived just in time to prevent further violence. According to her account, the mob looted a gold ornament, burnt the house, a car, and two two-wheelers before leaving.
Another Family's Ordeal and Delayed Rescue
Another woman, whose home was also targeted, described a similar terrifying experience. "When the mob came, four children and eight women, including me, went to a small room and locked it," she said. "My husband was the only man at home. The mob tried to drag my minor daughter and me. When my husband intervened, he was stabbed from behind."
This family faced an additional challenge as rescue was delayed. "It took the police four hours to rescue us as the mob had blocked the road to our village," she explained, highlighting the logistical difficulties faced by authorities during the violence.
Broader Context and Community Impact
The violence in Gariaband district represents another troubling incident in Chhattisgarh's complex social landscape. The state has faced various challenges including:
- Communal tensions in different regions
- Security concerns in conflict-affected areas
- Ongoing efforts to maintain law and order
Police authorities continue their investigation into the incident, with the seven arrested individuals now in judicial custody. The case highlights the vulnerability of minority communities in certain areas and raises questions about community relations and security measures in rural Chhattisgarh.
As the legal process moves forward, the affected families grapple with the trauma of the attack and the destruction of their property. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly tensions can escalate into violence and the lasting impact such events have on communities.
