16 arrested in violence at ashram in Baloda Bazar

Raipur: An argument over bursting crackers at Kabirpanth guru's Damakheda ashram in Baloda Bazar district turned violent when a group of people threw cracker bombs and stones on the premises, leading to tension, threats and verbal abuses on Friday night. Police have arrested 16 persons in the matter while few others are at large. Police force had to be deployed at the location to keep vigil. Police said that there was a confrontation between locals and Kabirpanth followers for past few months and the issue triggered when there was an argument over bursting crackers.Kabirpanth Ashram guru Prakash Muni Saheb's son Udit came under attack by throwing the cracker bomb and stones over the ashram walls, located in Simga region. Home minister Vijay Sharma and former BJP MLA Shivratan Sharma rushed to the ashram late on Friday to take stock of situation. Police intervened with force and took control over the situation, which was followed by the arrest of 16 people involved in triggering the violence and disturbance in the region. Police officer Aishwarya Chandrakar told reporters that there were few offenders at large and a search has been launched to nab them. The attackers had tried to enter the ashram premises with sticks and canes and had threatened of dire consequences and hurled abuses.A case under Sections 191, 193, 190, 331, 296, 351, 298 was lodged under BNS against 16 persons, including the sarpanch's husband and others. Security in the region has been tightened and police have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony. Damakheda ashram is a popular religious junction for Kabirpanth followers and people in large visit the place on several occasions.Police said that there was tensed relationship between the sarpanch's family and the followers of the Kabirpanth ashram that turned violent after an argument when the sarpanch's husband, Puran Dewangan, along with 30-40 villagers went inside the ashram with canes and sticks.