MP: Two Weeks After Tribal-Muslim Clash, Situation Remains Tense in Khamariya
New Delhi: Although it has been two weeks since a violent clash between tribals and Muslims broke out in the Khamariya village of the Silwani region of Madhya Pradesh, the situation on the ground still remains tense. Locals are fearful of another round of clashes and more arrests. The involvement of the RSS and its affiliated organisations in the aftermath of the Holi-day violence, in their bid to communalise the issue, has not helped in normalising the situation.
After the March 18 clashes, which claimed the lives of two tribals youths and left over 50 injured, a shop and house belonging to a Muslim man were allegedly destroyed by the local Raisen district police. So far, 16 young Muslim have been arrested from the village, and none from the tribal community.
"We are scared of the police and administration. We have been told that any Muslim could be arrested from the village anytime. So, several youngsters from our community are fleeing the village in order to save themselves," says a local member of the Muslim community.
A large contingent of police forces, which was stationed in the village thus far to prevent another flare-up, has now left the village. "We are hearing from the other side that they will avenge for what has happened so far. We are hearing such threats from the neighbouring villages," adds the Muslim man.
Also read: MP: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Uses Tribal-Muslim Clash to 'Push BJP's Adivasi Outreach Programme'
Muslims in the village also allege that they are not being allowed to access their farmlands by the members of the other side. They also say that there have been a number of disputes over the last few days in relation to their lands. For years, Muslim landowners in the village have been leasing out their lands to tribals for cultivation. However, this longstanding interaction between the two communities is set to take a beating.
"People from other tribal hamlets are coming to the village to rouse passions. Even those associated with the RSS are visiting the village. A number of disputes are breaking out every day, especially in relation to our lands," says the local Muslim man.
Echoing the views of the local Muslim community, Gondwana Gantantra Party leader Devriram Bhalawi says that leaders from the local RSS and BJP units have been visiting the village "to ensure communalisation of the region".
"In a bid to further their communal propaganda, over 20 people from outside [of the village] were present at the time of clash," he alleges.
Speaking of the prevailing fear in the village, advocate Umar says, "While the situation is limping back to normal, 16 Muslims continue to languish in jail. They have been taken into custody from the hospital after the clashes. We will fight for securing bail for them. On the other hand, no one from the other side has been arrested."
The Wire has also reached out to the Raisen Police and Silwani Police to inquire why no arrests have been made from the tribal community. No response has been received yet. This copy will be updated once the police responds.
The lawyer has also added that although 16 people have been arrested, 52 have been identified as "suspects". "There is certainly an atmosphere of fear in the village. Anyone who tries to enter the village may be arrested," he notes.
Vasid Khan, a lawyer associated with the National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations, also laments that the situation could have been handled better.
"Despite settling the matter within both the communities, the RSS and the local VHP leadership incited the Adivasi community. So, the situation on the ground continues to remain volatile," he adds.
After the clashes, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a Janjati Sammelan in the neighbouring Chandanpur village and promised the family of Raju Adivasi, the man who was killed in the clashes, ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh, two pucca houses and a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for his three young children. He also announced Rs 50,000 each to all 38 tribal men injured.
On March 18, which also happened to be the Holi festival, violence broke out between the two communities after a Muslim girl had alleged that she was harassed by a group of intoxicated tribal men. A group of 400 tribal youth then reportedly entered the Muslim-dominated Khamariya village, leading to the violence.
This article went live on April first, two thousand twenty two, at thirty minutes past nine in the morning.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
