Balodabazar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Tuesday visited Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar town along with two Cabinet colleagues, a day after a mob destroyed a government office and several vehicles during a protest called by the Satnami community against alleged vandalism of a religious structure. Was set on fire. ,
Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, directed that strict action should be taken against those involved in the arson, an official said.
More than two dozen cars, around 70 two-wheelers and a government building were set on fire in the district office complex after the protests turned violent on Monday.
Many policemen were also injured in stone pelting.
Unidentified persons broke the 'Jaitkham' or 'Vijay Stambh', a sacred symbol worshiped by the Satnami community, near the holy Amar Cave at Giroudpuri Dham in the district on the intervening night of May 15 and 16. Police later arrested three people in this regard.Event.
In protest against the incident, the community called for a demonstration at the Dussehra ground here on Monday and also surrounded the collector's office.
As the protests led to arson and stone pelting, the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district administration invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, banning the assembly of four or more people in Balodabazar town till June 16.
To take stock of the situation, Deputy CM Sharma, Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma and Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel visited the district office early on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to take strict action against those involved in the arson.
Many of the damaged vehicles belonged to poor people who had come to work in government offices. Government property was also damaged and documents were burnt in the record room, the Deputy CM said.He also said that earlier, after Satnami community leaders were dissatisfied with the police investigation into the damage caused to Jaitkham and demanded a high-level investigation, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai had ordered a judicial inquiry. He claimed that people of the community expressed satisfaction over this and said that they would submit a memorandum expressing gratitude to the CM, but some anti-social elements indulged in arson during Monday's protest.
Visuals from the protest site showed around 50 motorcycles, two dozen cars and the building housing the offices of the Collector and Superintendent of Police damaged due to arson. The mob also set a fire brigade vehicle on fire and was seen clashing with the police.
Police sources said that many people have been detained.
The influential Satnami community, founded by the medieval social reformer Baba Ghasidas, represents the largest Scheduled Caste group in Chhattisgarh.
Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, directed that strict action should be taken against those involved in the arson, an official said.
More than two dozen cars, around 70 two-wheelers and a government building were set on fire in the district office complex after the protests turned violent on Monday.
Many policemen were also injured in stone pelting.
Unidentified persons broke the 'Jaitkham' or 'Vijay Stambh', a sacred symbol worshiped by the Satnami community, near the holy Amar Cave at Giroudpuri Dham in the district on the intervening night of May 15 and 16. Police later arrested three people in this regard.Event.
In protest against the incident, the community called for a demonstration at the Dussehra ground here on Monday and also surrounded the collector's office.
As the protests led to arson and stone pelting, the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district administration invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, banning the assembly of four or more people in Balodabazar town till June 16.
To take stock of the situation, Deputy CM Sharma, Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma and Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel visited the district office early on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to take strict action against those involved in the arson.
Many of the damaged vehicles belonged to poor people who had come to work in government offices. Government property was also damaged and documents were burnt in the record room, the Deputy CM said.He also said that earlier, after Satnami community leaders were dissatisfied with the police investigation into the damage caused to Jaitkham and demanded a high-level investigation, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai had ordered a judicial inquiry. He claimed that people of the community expressed satisfaction over this and said that they would submit a memorandum expressing gratitude to the CM, but some anti-social elements indulged in arson during Monday's protest.
Visuals from the protest site showed around 50 motorcycles, two dozen cars and the building housing the offices of the Collector and Superintendent of Police damaged due to arson. The mob also set a fire brigade vehicle on fire and was seen clashing with the police.
Police sources said that many people have been detained.
The influential Satnami community, founded by the medieval social reformer Baba Ghasidas, represents the largest Scheduled Caste group in Chhattisgarh.
