Tension following a murder in the Satellite area earlier this month appears to have escalated into incidents of arson and vandalism, with two separate complaints lodged at the Satellite police station on Monday. The complaints allege that unidentified individuals set houses and a CNG autorickshaw on fire in the Rajivnagar area.
First Complaint: House Set on Fire
In the first complaint, a 65-year-old homemaker reported that a mob of approximately 15 unidentified persons broke into her locked house in Rajivnagar Division-2 near Shakti School around 3 a.m. on May 25. The intruders set the property on fire, causing damage estimated at nearly Rs 1 lakh.
According to the complaint, the woman and her relatives had temporarily moved to their native village after the murder of a local resident on May 2 triggered tension in the locality. She stated that relatives and associates of the deceased had allegedly been visiting the area and creating disturbances, prompting the family to keep the house locked and vacate for safety.
The complainant said she received a call from a neighbor informing her that a group had broken the lock of her residence and set household belongings on fire. Upon arriving at the scene, she found furniture, bedding, fans, a television set, a water motor, and a sewing machine partially burnt. Locals also informed her that fires had been reported at a few other houses in the locality.
Satellite police registered a case of unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation against unidentified persons.
Second Complaint: CNG Autorickshaw Set on Fire
In another complaint, a 35-year-old autorickshaw driver alleged that unidentified persons vandalized and set his parked CNG autorickshaw on fire near Ramapir Temple Crossroads in Rajivnagar on the night of May 4. The complainant said the vehicle’s windshield, seats, and hood were damaged in the fire, causing losses of around Rs 15,000.
Police registered a separate offense of attempt to culpable homicide and mischief by fire, noting that the vehicle contained a CNG cylinder, which could have endangered nearby residents and commuters had it exploded.
