Chandigarh, March 17
At least two places of worship and a large number of shops and houses today reportedly became the target of widespread arson borne out of communal frenzy in the formerly princely state of Loharu in Bhiwani district, near the Haryana-Rajasthan border, according to reports received here.
However, no loss of life was reported as members of a minority community had fled the subdivisional town last night itself, when the first indications of today’s incidents appeared.
According to the reports, a rumour spread in the town last night that two youths of a particular community had slaughtered a cow in a place of worship.
Unconfirmed reports say that those who were allegedly involved in the cow slaughter were detained by the police last night itself but that did not stop the rumour mill.
A large crowd gathered in the main market of the town around 9 a.m. today. The shops were closed. The crowd soon reached a place of worship near the local railway station. The religious place, along with eight shops on its premises, were burnt. The crowd also set on fire four shops situated in front of the railway station. The incident took place about 200 metres from the residence of the Subdivisional
Magistrate (SDM).
The inadequate police force was unable to control the mob, which went to another place of worship in the old town around 11 a.m. The police tried to prevent the mob from reaching the place of worship for some time. However, the police had to beat a hasty retreat when the mob indulged in heavy stone-throwing. The religious place also became a victim of the wrath of the mob.
The police reportedly fired several rounds in the air to disperse the mob. Three persons, Ashok, Krishan and Harish, besides two others sustained pellet injuries. By this time, the DC and the SP had reached Loharu from Bhiwani.
The mob, which was armed with
lathis held the town to ransom for more than two hours. During this period, it burnt houses and shops owned by members of the minority community in areas like the old town, Nehru Market, Dhani Dholia Kuan, Fartial Tal Road, Old Court and Pillani road.
In the old town, the house and shop of a member of a minority community were burnt along with his tractor and a fodder machine. By the time fire tenders could reach Loharu from Bhiwani and other neighbouring towns, there was nothing left to be saved.
The mob attempted to damage Nawab Villa, the palace of the former ruler of Loharu, situated on Pillani Road, but was prevented from doing so by the police.
Additional police forces have reached Loharu. All roads to the town have been sealed. Bus service has also been suspended.
The Home Secretary and the Director-General of the Haryana Police were not available for comments.
