Six killed as political rivalry turns bloody near Mundra

RAJKOT: A simmering animosity between families from two communities took an ugly turn after six people were killed in Chhasra village, 22 km from Mundra, in one of the bloodiest communal clash witnessed in Kutch in the recent times.


The clashes erupted late on Tuesday night when four persons of Chavda family were attacked with spears, swords and knives by members of village

sarpanch

Sakina Boliya’s family members. In a counter attack, Sakina’s 25-year-old son Abid and her father-in-law Adam Boliya (70) were hacked to death on the spot. Her husband Arab Boliya (50) was grievously injured and his condition is said to be critical.

The four from Chavda family who were killed were identified as Bharat Chavda (27), his brother Mangal (25), Chetan Chavda (37) and Bhargav Chavda. Three other family members were critically injured.

Police said that the enmity between the families has roots in the sarpanch elections held two years ago when Sakina had defeated Chetan Chavda. Since then, skirmishes often erupted between them and Chavda family accused her of deliberating ignoring their area in carrying out the necessary development work.

Some days ago, Sakina had even given an application to Mundra police against Mangal who had allegedly misbehaved with her over the issue of providing water connection to a recently constructed cattle feeding facility. “Mangal was even detained and the animosity between the families deepened,” said MJ Jaloo, police inspector, Mundra.

It is learnt that on Tuesday too, there was an altercation between the families after a youth drove his bike at full speed outside sarpanch’s house. At around 10pm, Bharat, Mangal, Bhargav and Chetan were returning home from their farm. While passing through Sakina’s house, there was an altercation again with her family members. “A group of people armed with spears, swords and knives reached there and launched a brutal attack on the four. They died on the spot due to heavy blood loss,” said police.

However, sensing that things would turn serious, the four had called up their family members. A large group of people in an SUV, tractor and a bike reached there and attacked Sakina’s family members. Her son Abid and father-in-law Adam were hacked to death on the spot while her husband was critically wounded.

In a statement, state’s junior home minister

Pradipsinh Jadeja

said one company of SRP each has been deployed in Chhasra and Anjar towns to avert any escalation of violence. The village has been turned into a fortress with nearly 150 policemen keeping a tight vigil. On Tuesday, the funeral procession of the four brothers was held amid tight police

bandobast

in the village, while final rites of the sarpanch’s son and father-in-law were held in Bhuj. Police said 19 people have been rounded up for questioning and arrests will be made after getting proper evidence.

Sources said that Chhasra has a population of around 2,000 and is dominated by the Muslim community who are well-off and engaged in contract works in local companies besides owning highway hotels. There are around 500 Ahir community people living here, mostly engaged in farming and animal husbandry.