The state government as well as the BJP are engaged in efforts to pacify the Darbar and Bharwad communities even as Dhrangadhra in Surendranagar district continued to remain tense on Friday.
Minister of state for home, Pradipsinh Jadeja, said, “We have roped in community leaders from our party as well as apolitical people to convince both communities. Police forces have been trying their best to maintain law and order in Dhrangadhra and other affected areas. The situation is almost under control now. We will ensure that action is taken against those who indulged in violence and killed people.”
Violent clashes between both communities on Thursday left two dead. Thursday’s incident, however, has its roots in the murder of Popat Bharwad nearly five years ago which pitted both communities against each other and sparked off a bloody revenge saga.
Last Friday, Indrasinh Zala, who was arrested for Bharwad’s murder and was out on bail, was hacked to death. On Thursday, Bharwad community members were heading for his condolence meet when they encountered the rival community members en route. This led to an altercation which soon turned violent resulting in the death of a 50-year-old member of the Bharwad community. As news of the killing spread, clashes erupted and mobs went on the rampage torching vehices.
With things spiralling out of control, the BJP asked former MLA Bhavan Bharwad to step in. Bharwad met around 300 people from his community at his own resort in Ahmedabad on Thursday night and tried to placate them.
However, Bharwad has expressed dissatisfaction with what he claimed was police and government action in dealing with the situation.
Talking to DNA, he said, “We have lost three members of our community, yet the police have been totally inactive. I will be making a representation to PM Narendra Modi and CM Vijay Rupani tomorrow seeking a CBI probe into the case. This is a result of a conspiracy. We are being targeted and will not tolerate it.”
A senior BJP leader said, “This is the act of party insiders who do not want senior leader IK Jadeja to get the ticket for the upcoming Assembly polls. Images of Rajput community members moving around with bare weapons have left an adverse impact on the psyche of voters. This will definitely damage the reputation of Jadeja, who is also from the Rajput community.”
Jadeja could not be reached for his reaction.
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