In a troubling turn of events, a conflict has erupted among five communities over the usage of the community building, known as Dharamshala, located in Barjhar village within the jurisdiction of the Balwada police station. The discord, which has persisted for two consecutive days, escalated significantly on Friday and Saturday, resulting in violent clashes among the villagers. Disturbingly, footage of the confrontations has circulated widely on social media platforms. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the incident.
According to reports, the tensions primarily involve the Patidar, Gurjar, Gawli, Rajput, and Arya Samaj communities, all of whom have staked claims to the Dharamshala. Each faction asserts ownership over the facility, leading to protests and confrontations that erupted into physical altercations, even in the presence of police forces.
Heightened Tensions Among Communities
The ongoing strife has clearly manifested in the village, with factions asserting their claims over the Dharamshala and denying others access. The situation has become increasingly volatile, prompting protests and violent encounters, as community members took to wielding sticks against one another, even as police observed the chaos unfold.
Upon receiving reports of the unrest, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shakuntala Ruhal swiftly arrived at Barjhar village, accompanied by a police contingent. After engaging with community members, she facilitated a meeting where an oath was taken to cease hostilities and restore peace.
Injuries and Ongoing Police Presence
As a result of the clashes, 24 individuals sustained injuries, with 37 people facing legal action following the violence. This incident marks a continuation of unrest, as a previous altercation during a recent festival had already seen 24 individuals implicated and 23 injured, three of whom were subsequently referred to hospitals in Indore for more extensive medical treatment.
To date, police have taken restrictive measures against a total of 37 individuals involved in these altercations. However, ASP Ruhal has refrained from providing further details, merely stating that calm has been restored to the village. It is worth noting that additional residents from neighboring villages arrived in Barjhar on Saturday, which only intensified the existing conflict.
Medical Treatment for the Injured
Those requiring medical attention following the violent clashes have been treated at Barwah Hospital. Among the injured are Gopichand Mohanlal Yadav (46), Sohan Yashwant Hammad, Jitendra Sarvi (50), Dilip Patidar (40), Pooja Dilip Patidar (36), Pawan Yadav (21), and Ramesh Panwar (50). Many of these individuals suffered head injuries, while others bore visible marks from the violent exchanges.
Additionally, Dharmendra Manohar Patel (35), Bagsinh Panwar (65), and Kailash, son of Govind (50), are currently receiving treatment in Indore due to the severity of their injuries.
